Features

AISI: Weekly raw steel output stumbles to 19-month low

Written by Brett Linton

September 30, 2024

Domestic raw steel mill production declined last week to low levels not seen since early last year, according to the latest figures released from the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).

Total US steel mill raw output was estimated to have been 1,646,000 short tons (st) in the week ending Sept. 28. This is down 61,000 st, or 3.6%, from the week prior. The last time raw production was this low was in January 2023.  

Raw production last week was 4.3% lower than the year-to-date weekly average of 1,721,000 st. Production is down by 2.7% compared to the same week one year earlier when mill output totaled 1,691,000 st. 

The mill capability utilization rate last week declined to 74.1%. This is off from 76.9% one week prior and down from 74.4% this time last year.

Year-to-date production stood at 66,212,000 st at a capability utilization rate of 76.7%. This is 1.7% less than the same time frame last year, when 67,325,000 st had been produced at a capability utilization rate of 76.9%.

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

  • Northeast – 116,000 st (down 9,000 st)
  • Great Lakes – 576,000 st (down 7,000 st)
  • Midwest – 197,000 st (down 7,000 st)
  • South – 710,000 st (down 32,000 st).
  • West – 47,000 st (down 6,000 st)

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.

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