Features

AISI: Raw steel production edges lower, remains weak

December 16, 2024

US raw steel mill production eased last week, according to the most recent data released by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). Domestic production remains significantly low compared to levels recorded earlier in the year.

Total raw output was estimated at 1,651,000 short tons (st) through the week ending Dec. 14. Production declined by 17,000 st, or 1.0%, from the previous week, when raw output had risen to an 11-week high. Recall that in early October production touched a 20-month low of 1,606,000 st (Figure 1).

Total mill output last week was 3.0% lower than the year-to-date (YTD) weekly average of 1,703,000 st. Production is down 3.2% compared to the same week one year prior when output totaled 1,705,000 st.

The mill capability utilization rate last week was 74.3%. This is down from the previous week (75.1%) and down from this time last year (74.2%).

YTD production now totals 83,836,000 st at a capability utilization rate of 75.7%. This is down 2.3% from the same time frame last year when 85,832,000 st was produced at a capability utilization rate of 76.0%.

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

Northeast – 126,000 st (up 6,000 st)
Great Lakes – 557,000 st (up 4,000 st)
Midwest – 225,000 st (down 9,000 st)
South – 682,000 st (down 20,000 st).
West – 61,000 st (up 2,000 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.