Features

AISI: Raw steel production slips from 7-week high

July 29, 2024

Domestic raw steel production eased last week following a seven-week high, according to the latest release by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). Although production is down week over week, it is still at one of the highest levels recorded this year.

Total steel mill output was estimated to have been 1,729,000 short tons (st) in the week ending July 27. This is down 10,000 st, or 0.6%, from the week prior. Raw production last week was 0.7% higher than the year-to-date weekly average of 1,716,000 st. Production is up 2.4% vs. the same week one year ago when production totaled 1,689,000 st.

The mill capability utilization rate was 77.9% last week. This rate is lower than the week prior (78.3%) but higher than this time last year (74.3%).

Year-to-date production is up to 50,772,000 st at a capability utilization rate of 76.6%. This is 2.1% less than the same time frame last year, when 51,880,000 st were produced at a capability utilization rate of 77.3%.

Weekly production by region is shown below, with the weekly changes noted in parentheses:

Northeast – 131,000 st (up 3,000 st)
Great Lakes – 571,000 st (down 6,000 st)
Midwest – 217,000 st (down 7,000 st)
South – 741,000 st (down 7,000 st)
West – 69,000 st (up 7,000 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 monthly AISI “AIS 7” report is available by subscription and provides a more detailed summary of domestic steel production.

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.