Market Data
February 9, 2026
AISI: Raw steel production increases to 5-month high
Written by Brett Linton
Domestic mill output ramped up last week to a five-month high, according to the latest production data released by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). Production has held strong in recent weeks following the multi-month lows seen at the end of the year.
US mills produced an estimated 1,783,000 short tons (st) of raw steel in the week ending Feb. 7, up 25,000 st, or 1.4%, from the previous week (Figure 1).
Last week’s production was 1.6% above the year-to-date (YTD) weekly average of 1,755,000 st, and 4.9% higher than the same week one year prior. YTD production now totals 9,557,000 st, up 3.7% from the same period last year.
The mill capability utilization rate was 77.1% last week. This is up from both the previous week (76.0%) and the same week last year (76.3%). Capability utilization has averaged 76.2% YTD.
Raw production increased week over week (w/w) in four of the five AISI defined regions:
- Northeast – 124,000 st (up 5,000 st)
- Great Lakes – 526,000 st (up 8,000 st)
- Midwest – 269,000 st (up 12,000 st)
- South – 800,000 st (up 1,000 st)
- West – 64,000 st (down 1,000 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.
