Market Data
March 2, 2026
AISI: Weekly raw steel mill output remains strong
Written by Brett Linton
Domestic raw steel production edged lower last week following the four-year high reached in mid-February, according to recent figures published by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). Production has trended upwards since the start of the year and was historically strong across February.
US mills produced an estimated 1,811,000 short tons (st) of raw steel in the week ending Feb. 28, down 6,000 st, or 0.3%, from the previous week’s high (Figure 1).
Last week’s production was 2.1% above the year-to-date (YTD) weekly average of 1,773,000 st, and 6.2% higher than the same week one year prior. YTD production now totals 15,048,000 st, 5.0% above the same period last year.
The mill capability utilization rate was 78.3% last week. This is down from 78.5% the previous week, when it was the highest it has been since last September, but up compared to the same week last year (76.5%). Capability utilization has averaged 77.2% YTD.
Raw production increased week over week (w/w) in two of the five AISI-defined regions:
- Northeast – 131,000 st (up 10,000 st)
- Great Lakes – 515,000 st (down 7,000 st)
- Midwest – 290,000 st (up 25,000 st)
- South – 811,000 st (down 25,000 st)
- West – 64,000 st (down 9,000 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.
