Long Products
June 8, 2026
AISI: Domestic mill production remains strong
Written by Brett Linton
Domestic steel mill output remained historically strong last week, holding within earshot of a multi-year high, according to recently published American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) figures. Production has increased 10.2% since the start of the year.
Total US raw steel production was estimated at 1,877,000 short tons (st) in the week ending June 6, an increase of 5,000 st from the prior week (Figure 1). This is the third-highest weekly volume seen in the past four years. It’s only surpassed by two readings in mid-May (one of which was a six-year high of 1,898,000 st).
Output was 3.5% above the year-to-date (YTD) weekly average of 1,814,000 st, and 5.3% higher than the same week one year ago. YTD production now totals 40,690,000 st, up 6.4% from the same period in 2025.
The mill capability utilization rate was 81.3% last week, up from the previous week (81.1%) and one year prior (79.3%). Just three weeks ago, this rate climbed to a four-year high of 82.2%. Capability utilization has averaged 78.5% YTD.
Raw production increased week over week (w/w) in three of the five regions defined by AISI:
- Northeast – 140,000 st (up 3,000 st)
- Great Lakes – 502,000 st (up 7,000 st)
- Midwest – 318,000 st (down 3,000 st)
- South – 844,000 st (down 4,000 st)
- West – 73,000 st (up 2,000 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.
