Features

AISI: Raw steel production slips again

March 25, 2024

Domestic raw steel production slipped for the second consecutive week, and is now at a seven-week low, according to the most recent data from the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).

Steel output in the US totaled an estimated 1,703,000 short tons (st) in the week ended March 23, down 11,000 st or 0.6% from the previous week. Raw production is down 0.9% compared to the same week last year when production totaled 1,718,000 st.

The mill capability utilization rate was 76.7% last week, down from a rate of 77.2% the week prior and down from 76.9% one year ago.

Year-to-date production through March 23 was 20,010,000 st at a capability utilization rate of 76.0%. Annual production is down 2.9% from the same time frame last year, when 20,605,000 st were produced at a capability utilization rate of 77.7%.

Production by region is shown below, with the week-over-week changes shown in parentheses:

Northeast – 129,000 st (down 5,000 st)
Great Lakes – 576,000 st (down 4,000 st)
Midwest – 179,000 st (down 2,000 st)
South – 757,000 st (down 3,000 st)
West – 62,000 st (up 3,000 st)

Editor’s 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.

Brett Linton

Brett Linton is a senior analyst for Steel Market Update, where he began his career. Linton has been in the steel industry since 2010. He has held roles as a category manager and strategic insights director at Reibus before returning to SMU in 2024. He is a graduate of The University of North Georgia with a degree in Finance and Accounting. Brett can be reached at brett@steelmarketupdate.com or 724-314-0179.