Long Products
May 4, 2026
AISI: Raw steel production rises to 4.5-year high
Written by Brett Linton
Domestic raw steel production increased to a new multi-year high last week, surpassing the previous high set two weeks prior, according to recently published American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) data.
Total US steel mill output was estimated at 1,856,000 short tons (st) in the week ending May 2, up 26,000 st, or 1.4%, from the previous week (Figure 1). This marks the highest weekly output level recorded since November 2021. Production has strengthened 9% since the start of the year.
Last week’s production was 3.4% above the year-to-date (YTD) weekly average of 1,795,000 st, and 9.6% higher than the same week one year ago. YTD production now totals 31,405,000 st, up 6.2% from the same period last year.
The mill capability utilization rate was 80.4% last week, the highest weekly rate recorded since July 2022. Compare this to 79.3% the prior week and 75.4% the same week of last year. Capability utilization has averaged 77.9% YTD.
Raw production increased week over week (w/w) in four of the five AISI-defined regions:
- Northeast – 134,000 st (up 3,000 st)
- Great Lakes – 511,000 st (up 1,000 st)
- Midwest – 311,000 st (up 9,000 st)
- South – 838,000 st (up 17,000 st)
- West – 62,000 st (down 4,000 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.
