Steel Products Prices North America

AISI: Raw Steel Production Gains Ground

Written by David Schollaert

May 17, 2022

Raw steel production by US mills increased last week, reaching the highest utilization mark in 16 weeks. Domestic output totaled 1,785,000 net tons in the week ending May 14, while mill capacity utilization was 81.8%, the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) reported.

US output was up 0.5% versus the week prior but 2.7% below the same year-ago period when production was 1,834,000 net tons. Mill capacity utilization last week was 0.4 percentage points above the prior week and 0.8 percentage points above the same period one year ago when utilization was 81%.

Based on the latest data, AISI’s weekly estimated domestic steelmaking capacity has decreased by 1.7% or 38,000 net tons, over the past 12 months – from 2,220,000 net tons to 2,182,000 net tons. The downgrade would suggest the removal of 2 million net tons per annum of US steelmaking capability – a drop from 115.5 million net tons to 113.5 million net tons.

Adjusted year-to-date production through May 14 totaled 33,410,000 net tons, at an average utilization rate of 80.2%. That’s down 1.8% from the same period last year when production was 34,009,000 net tons, though the utilization rate was lower at 78.7%, AISI said.

Production slipped in only one of five regions last week. The West district posted the largest percentage increase, up 5.9% or 4,000 net tons WoW. The largest increase in tons was in the South, 7,000 net tons higher, a 0.9% increase WoW. The increases were slightly offset by a 7,000 net ton decline in the Great Lakes during the same period.

Below is the production by region for the week ending May 14: Northeast, 178,000 tons; Great Lakes, 559,000 tons; Midwest, 197,000 tons; South, 779,000 tons; and West, 72,000 tons – for a total of 1,785,000 net tons, up 8,000 net tons from the prior week.

WeeklyRawSteelProd Wk20

Note: The raw steel production tonnage provided in this report is estimated. The figures are compiled from weekly production tonnage provided by approximately 50% of the domestic production capacity combined with the most recent monthly production data for the remainder. Therefore, this report should be used primarily to assess production trends. The AISI production report “AIS 7”, published monthly and available by subscription, provides a more detailed summary of steel production based on data supplied by companies representing 75% of U.S. production capacity.

Given the large number of changes to steelmaking capability in the current rapidly evolving market environment, AISI is undertaking a comprehensive review of its raw steel production and capability utilization statistics to ensure that they accurately reflect market conditions. Any updates to capability will be phased in over several weeks.

By David Schollaert, David@SteelMarketUpdate.com

David Schollaert

David Schollaert is a senior analyst for Steel Market Update. David joined SMU after more than a decade in the metals and mining industry in a myriad of different roles. Much of his early experience and expertise were within the coverage and analysis of steel-making raw materials and served previously as senior editor of the CRU Prices Service. Most recently, however, before his return to market analysis, David held roles as a metals buyer and an operations manager for raw material suppliers. Based in CRU’s Pittsburgh office, David can be reached at david@steelmarketupdate.com or 724-720-1008.

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