Steel Mills

AISI: Raw steel output rises to 11-week high

December 9, 2024

Domestic raw steel mill production ticked up to an 11-week high last week, according to the latest figures released by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). Since sharply falling in September and October, weekly production has marginally trended higher for the past two months, but remains significantly low compared to levels recorded earlier this year.

US mills produced an estimated 1,668,000 short tons (st) of raw steel in the week ending Dec. 7. Output rose by 30,000 st, or 1.8%, from the prior week. Recall that in early October production had fallen to a 20-month low of 1,606,000 st (Figure 1).

Total mill output last week was 2.1% lower than the year-to-date weekly average of 1,704,000 st. Production is down by 2.2% compared to the same week one year prior when mill output totaled 1,705,000 st.

The mill capability utilization rate last week was 75.1%. This is up from 73.8% one week prior, but down from 74.2% this time last year.

Year-to-date production has reached 82,185,000 st at a capability utilization rate of 75.7%. This is 2.3% less than the same period of last year, when 84,127,000 st was produced at a capability utilization rate of 76.0%.

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

Northeast – 120,000 st (down 7,000 st)
Great Lakes – 553,000 st (up 9,000 st)
Midwest – 234,000 st (up 7,000 st)
South – 702,000 st (up 12,000 st)
West – 59,000 st (up 9,000 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.