Market Data
March 23, 2026
Raw steel production ticks higher, nears multi-year high
Written by Brett Linton
Following three weeks of declines, raw steel production increased last week, according to recently released American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) data. Production is close to the four-year high seen in mid-February.
Domestic mill production was estimated at 1,781,000 short tons (st) in the week ending March 21, up 7,000 st, or 0.4%, from the previous week (Figure 1). Compare this to the mid-February peak of 1,817,000 st, the strongest rate recorded in four years.
Last week’s production was 0.3% above the year-to-date (YTD) weekly average of 1,775,000 st, and 4.6% higher than the same week one year ago. YTD production now stands at 20,394,000 st, 4.9% higher than the same time period of 2025.
The mill capability utilization rate rose to 77.0% last week. This is higher than both the previous week (76.7%) and the same week one year prior (76.5%). Capability utilization has averaged 77.2% YTD.
Raw production declined week over week (w/w) in three of the five AISI-defined regions:
- Northeast – 129,000 st (down 4,000 st w/w)
- Great Lakes – 500,000 st (down 5,000 st)
- Midwest – 287,000 st (up 7,000 st)
- South – 807,000 st (up 12,000 st)
- West – 58,000 st (down 3,000 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.
