US mill output picks up post-holidays

US mills have begun ramping up output after the end-of-year holiday slowdown, based on the latest data from the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).

AISI estimated US mills, operating at 75.7% of total capabilities, produced 1,752,000 short tons (st) of raw steel in the week ended Jan. 10. Production picked up 2.8% from the previous week when mills made 1,704,000 st operating at 74.4%. Compared to the same week last year, output was 3.1% higher.

Through Jan. 10, mills have produced an estimated 2,482,000 st of raw steel in 2026, with a capability utilization rate of 75.3%. Year-to-date production is up 2.6% from the same period last year, according to AISI’s data.

Steel output increased week over week in all five AISI-defined regions:

North East – 123,000 st (up 2,000 st)
Great Lakes – 502,000 st (up 8,000 st)
Midwest – 272,000 st (up 8,000 st)
South – 770,000 st (up 11,000 st)
West – 85,000 st (up 19,000 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.

Laura Miller

Laura Miller is a reporter and editor for Steel Market Update. She has held various editorial positions with steel industry publications, associations, and mills since 2007. She joined the SMU team in 2022. She is a member of the Association of Women in the Metal Industries and a past-president of the AWMI Pittsburgh Chapter. She holds a BA in Latin American Studies from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania.