Steel Mills

AISI: Raw steel production falls to 5-week low

Written by Brett Linton

November 18, 2024

Domestic raw steel mill production slipped to a five-week low last week, according to the latest figures released by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). Weekly production is now at the third-lowest level recorded this year.

US mills produced an estimated 1,623,000 short tons (st) of raw steel in the week ending Nov. 16. Output fell by 26,000 st or 1.6% from the prior week. Recall that in mid-October, production fell to a 20-month low of 1,606,000 st (Figure 1). 

Total mill output last week was 4.9% lower than the year-to-date weekly average of 1,707,000 st. Production was down 3.8% compared to the same week last year when mill output totaled 1,687,000 st. 

The mill capability utilization rate last week was 73.1%. This was down from 74.2% one week prior and down from 73.4% last year.

Year-to-date production has reached 77,383,000 st at a capability utilization rate of 76.0%. This is 2.1% less than the same period last year when 79,047,000 st had been produced at a capability utilization rate of 76.1%.

Weekly production by region is as follows (weekly changes shown in parentheses):

  • Northeast – 120,000 st (down 4,000 st)
  • Great Lakes – 583,000 st (down 11,000 st)
  • Midwest – 200,000 st (up 6,000 st)
  • South – 669,000 st (down 15,000 st).
  • West – 51,000 st (down 2,000 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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