AISI: Raw steel production falls to four-week low

Last week’s production was down 3.0% compared to the same week one year ago when production totaled 1,769,000 st. But it nonetheless slightly exceeds the year-to-date weekly average of 1,713,000 st.

The mill capability utilization rate was 77.3% last week, down from both the week prior (77.7%) and this time one year ago (78.6%).

Year-to-date production through April 20 was 26,939,000 st at a capability utilization rate of 76.5%. Annual production is down 2.5% from the same timeframe last year, when 27,622,000 st were produced at a capability utilization rate of 77.9%.

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

• Northeast: 135,000 st (down 6,000 st)
• Great Lakes: 576,000 st (up 3,000 st)
• Midwest: 213,000 st (up 2,000 st)
• South: 724,000 st (down 10,000 st)
• West: 68,000 st (down 1,000 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.