Market Data
February 23, 2026
AISI: Raw steel production climbs to four-year high
Written by Brett Linton
The amount of raw steel produced by US mills increased for the third consecutive week last week to a new multi-year high, according to recent figures published by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).
US mills produced an estimated 1,817,000 short tons (st) of raw steel in the week ending Feb. 21, an increase of 17,000 st (0.9%) from the previous week (Figure 1). Production has strengthened by 113,000 st (6.6%) since the start of the year and is now at the highest level recorded in over four years.
Last week’s production was 2.7% above the year-to-date (YTD) weekly average of 1,769,000 st and 6.6% higher than the same week one year prior. YTD production now totals 13,174,000 st, up 4.3% from the same period last year.
The mill capability utilization rate increased to 78.5% last week, the highest it has been since last September. Compare this to the week prior (77.8%) and the same week last year (76.5%). Capability utilization has averaged 76.7% YTD.
Raw production increased week over week in three of the five regions defined by AISI:
- Northeast – 121,000 st (down 2,000 st)
- Great Lakes – 522,000 st (up 11,000 st)
- Midwest – 265,000 st (down 7,000 st)
- South – 836,000 st (up 10,000 st)
- West – 73,000 st (up 5,000 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.
