Steel Markets

AISI: Raw steel production slips to 5-week low
Written by Brett Linton
September 16, 2024
Raw steel production eased last week, but US mills continue operating at a healthy rate, according to the latest report from the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).
Total raw steel output from domestic mills was estimated at 1,749,000 short tons (st) in the week ending Sept. 14. This was down by 23,000 st, or 1.3%, from the week prior.
Production last week was 1.5% higher than the year-to-date weekly average of 1,723,000 st.
Output was 1.0% greater than the same week a year ago when mills produced 1,742,000 st. Recall that production reached a multi-year high of 1,782,000 st in late August.
Last week’s mill capability utilization rate eased to 78.8%, down from 79.8% the previous week and from late August’s peak of 80.2%. At this time last year, the utilization rate was 74.4%.
Year-to-date production is up to 62,859,000 st, with a mill capability utilization rate of 76.8%. This is 1.7% below this time last year when mills had produced 63,943,000 st YTD with an average utilization rate of 76.9%.
Weekly production by region is shown below, with the week-over-week changes noted in parentheses:
- Northeast – 127,000 st (down 1,000 st)
- Great Lakes – 597,000 st (up 1,000 st)
- Midwest – 220,000 st (up 5,000 st)
- South – 747,000 st (down 20,000 st)
- West – 58,000 st (down 8,000 st)
Editor’s note: The raw steel production tonnage provided in this report is estimated and should be used primarily to assess production trends. AISI’s monthly “AIS 7” report is available by subscription and provides a more detailed summary of domestic steel production.

Brett Linton
Read more from Brett LintonLatest in Steel Markets

CMC looks beyond Arizona micro-mill woes to long-term viability of construction mart
Despite the economic and geopolitical upheaval of the last five years, CMC President and CEO Peter Matt points out that the construction market has been an essential element of the way forward.

US importers face stricter rules under revamped S232 tariffs
“CBP expects full compliance from the trade community for accurate reporting and payment of the additional duties. CBP will take enforcement action on non-compliance," the agency said in a March 7 bulletin.

Steel exports rebound in January
US steel exports recovered to a five-month high in January after having fallen to a two-year low in December. This growth follows four consecutive months of declining exports.

Construction spending drops marginally in January
Construction spending edged down slightly in January, slipping for the first time in four months. The US Census Bureau estimated spending at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $2,196 billion in January, down 0.2% from December’s downward revised rate. The January figure is 3.3% higher than a year ago. January’s result, despite the slight erosion, […]

HVAC equipment shipments slow in December but strong annually
Shipments of heating and cooling equipment in the US fell to an 11-month low in December, according to the latest data released by the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI).