Market Data
December 8, 2025
AISI: Raw steel production eases to near multi-month low
Written by Brett Linton
Domestic raw steel production marginally declined last week, according to the latest data released by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). And marks the second-lowest weekly production rate recorded since May.
US mills produced an estimated 1,734,000 short tons (st) of raw steel in the week ending Dec. 6, down 2,000 st or 0.1% from the previous week (Figure 1). Output has generally trended lower since August, when production touched a three-and-a-half-year high of 1,800,000 st.
Last week’s production was 0.4% above the year-to-date (YTD) weekly average of 1,728,000 st and 4.6% higher than the same week one year prior. YTD production now stands at 84,128,000 st, up 3.3% from the same period last year.
The mill capability utilization rate was 75.7% last week. This is down from the previous week (75.8%), but greater than the same week last year (74.7%). Capability utilization has averaged 76.8% YTD.
Raw production increased week over week (w/w) in three of the five AISI defined regions:
- Northeast – 119,000 st (up 4,000 st)
- Great Lakes – 495,000 st (down 18,000 st)
- Midwest – 260,000 st (up 6,000 st)
- South – 792,000 st (down 2,000 st)
- West – 68,000 st (up 8,000 st)
Editor’s note: The raw steel production tonnage provided in this report is estimated and should be used primarily to assess production trends. The graphic included in this report shows unadjusted weekly data. The monthly AISI “AIS 7” report is available by subscription and provides a more detailed summary of domestic steel production.
