Analysis
August 3, 2026
AISI: Domestic steel production at two-month high
Written by Brett Linton
The amount of raw steel produced by US mills increased last week to the highest rate recorded since early June, according to recently released American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) figures. Domestic production has been historically strong for over five months now.
Total raw steel output was estimated at 1,870,000 short tons (st) in the week ending Aug. 1, up by 12,000 st or 0.6 from the previous week (Figure 1). This rate is just 28,000 st below the six-year high of 1,898,000 st set back in May.
Production was 2.6% above the year-to-date (YTD) weekly average of 1,823,000 st, and 5.6% higher than the same week of 2025. YTD production now totals 55,510,000 st, up 5.8% compared to the same period last year.
The mill capability utilization rate was 81.0% last week, up from 80.5% the previous week and 78.2% one year prior.
Raw production increased week over week (w/w) in three of the five regions defined by AISI:
- Northeast – 125,000 st (down 7,000 st)
- Great Lakes – 496,000 st (down 4,000 st)
- Midwest – 320,000 st (up 3,000 st)
- South – 860,000 st (up 12,000 st)
- West – 69,000 st (up 8,000 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.
