Features

AISI: Raw steel production takes a breather after reaching 3-year high

June 16, 2025

Domestic mills continue to produce record volumes of steel, according to the latest figures released by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). Last week, raw steel output stood at the second-highest weekly total recorded in the past three years. Mill output has trended higher since April, increasing in six of the last eight weeks.

Through the week ending June 14, domestic steel mill production was estimated to be 1,783,000 short tons (st) (Figure 1). Output eased by 2,000 tons, or 0.1%, from the previous week, when production was at the highest since May 2022, according to AISI’s data.

Last week’s production was 5.5% above the year-to-date (YTD) weekly average of 1,690,000 st and 4.7% higher than the same week a year ago.

The overall mill capability utilization rate was 79.4% last week. This was down slightly from 79.5% the previous week (the highest rate recorded since September 2024) but up from 76.7% one year ago.

YTD production totals 39,855,000 st with a capability utilization rate of 75.5%. This is just 13,000 st (<0.1%) below the same period of 2024.

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

Northeast – 129,000 st (up 1,000 st w/w)
Great Lakes – 556,000 st (up 21,000 st)
Midwest – 253,000 st (up 1,000 st)
South – 780,000 st (down 22,000 st)
West – 65,000 st (down 3,000 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.