Features

AISI: Raw steel production climbs to 7-month high

Written by Brett Linton

April 28, 2025

US steel mills produced more raw steel last week than they have over the past seven months, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).

Domestic steel mill output was estimated at 1,706,000 short tons (st) for the week ending April 26 (Figure 1), marking the highest weekly total recorded since September 2024. Production rose by 24,000 tons, or 1.4%, compared to the previous week.

Last week’s production was 2.5% above the year-to-date average of 1,665,000 st per week and 0.6% higher than the same week in 2024. 

The mill capability utilization rate was 76.0% last week, up from 74.9% the prior week but slightly lower than the 76.3% rate seen this time last year. Since the start of 2025, utilization has averaged 74.7%.

Year-to-date production now stands at 27,601,000 st at a capability utilization rate of 74.7%. Output is down 1.2% compared to the same period of 2024, when 27,924,000 st was produced at a rate of 75.9%.

Raw production increased week over week (w/w) in three of the five regions defined by AISI:

  • Northeast – 126,000 st (down 4,000 st w/w)
  • Great Lakes – 547,000 st (up 24,000 st)
  • Midwest – 236,000 st (down 11,000 st)
  • South – 729,000 st (up 13,000 st)
  • West – 68,000 st (up 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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