Features
AISI: Raw steel production slips again
Written by Brett Linton
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
Read more from Brett LintonLatest in Features
SMU Survey: Current Buyers’ Sentiment Index jumps, Future Sentiment slips
SMU’s Current Buyers’ Sentiment Index rocketed up this week, while the Future Buyers’ Sentiment Index edged down. The two indices are almost at parity.
Final Thoughts
Some of you have told me that the current market feels about as crazy as early 2021 when demand snapped back after the initial outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. Others have said it might be more like late February/early March 2022, when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine – and, in the process, caused […]
SMU Community Chat: CRU’s Josh Spoores looks out over the Trump 2.0 battlefield
SMU Community Chat with CRU's Josh Spoores.
Mills allege ‘critical circumstances’ in CORE trade case vs. South Africa, UAE
"Recent activity in the marketplace strongly indicates that these imports are being rushed into the United States in an effort to avoid the imposition of antidumping duties," petitioners said.
SMU Survey: Mill lead times stretch to 10-month highs
Buyers responding to our latest market survey reported that steel mill lead times were stretching out this week for sheet and plate products tracked by SMU. The results weren’t much of a surprise. Production times have begun moving out following a wave of frenzied buying in response to stricter Section 232 announced by the Trump […]