Long Products
June 1, 2026
AISI: Raw steel production holds near 6-year high
Written by Brett Linton
Domestic raw steel production inched up 2,000 short tons (st) last week and remains within reach of a multi-year high, according to recently published American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) data. Mill output has strengthened 10% since the beginning of the year.
US mills produced an estimated 1,872,000 st of raw steel in the week ending May 30, the third-highest weekly rate seen in over four years (Figure 1). Compare this to the six-year high rate of 1,898,000 st set two weeks prior.
Last week’s production was 3.4% above the year-to-date (YTD) weekly average of 1,811,000 st, and 8.8% higher than the same week one year ago. YTD production now stands at 38,925,000 st, up 6.8% from the same period in 2025.
The mill capability utilization rate was 81.1% last week, up from 81.0% the previous week and 76.6% one year prior. In mid-May, this rate climbed to a four-year high of 82.2%. Capability utilization has averaged 78.6% YTD.
Raw production increased week over week (w/w) in three of the five AISI-defined regions:
- Northeast – 137,000 st (down 2,000 st)
- Great Lakes – 495,000 st (down 15,000 st)
- Midwest – 321,000 st (up 2,000 st)
- South – 848,000 st (up 14,000 st)
- West – 71,000 st (up 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.
