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AISI: Raw steel production climbs to second-highest rate of the year

March 11, 2025

Raw steel mill output rebounded last week after falling to one of the lowest levels of the year, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). Production is now at the second-highest weekly rate recorded so far in 2025.

Through the week ending March 8, domestic steel mill production was estimated at 1,671,000 short tons (st) (Figure 1). Production increased by 30,000 tons, or 1.8%, week over week (w/w).

Last week’s production was 1.0% above the year-to-date average of 1,655,000 st per week. Compared to this time last year, production this week is down by 1.5%.

The latest mill capability utilization rate was 75.0%, higher than the previous week (73.7%), but lower than the same week last year (76.4%).

Year-to-date production now stands at 15,850,000 st with a capability utilization rate of 74.4%. This is 1.3% less than the same period of last year, when 16,055,000 st had been produced at a rate of 75.8%.

Raw production increased this week in four of the five regions, as reported by AISI:

Northeast – 128,000 st (up 6,000 st w/w)
Great Lakes – 472,000 st (up 8,000 st)
Midwest – 237,000 st (up 8,000 st)
South – 762,000 st (down 1,000 st)
West – 72,000 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 graphic included in this report shows unadjusted weekly data. 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.