AISI: Raw steel production slips for second week

Domestic steel mill output eased last week for the second consecutive week, according to the latest release by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). Although production has declined, it remains relatively on the high side compared to rates seen across this year.

Total raw steel mill output was estimated at 1,722,000 short tons (st) in the week ending August 3. This is down 7,000 st or 0.4% from the week prior. Raw production last week was 0.3% higher than the year-to-date weekly average of 1,716,000 st. Production is up 0.6% from the same week one year ago when output totaled 1,712,000 st.

The mill capability utilization rate for last week was 77.5%. This is lower than the week prior (77.9%) but higher than this time last year (75.3%).

Year-to-date production stands at 52,421,000 st at a capability utilization rate of 76.5%. This is down 2.2% versus the same time frame last year, when 53,592,000 st were produced at a capability utilization rate of 77.3%.

Region	Production per st	Difference from last week per st
Northeast	13,000	Down 1,000
Great Lakes	582,000	Up 11,000
Midwest	211,000	Down 6,000
South	733,000	Down 8,000
West	66,000	Down 3,000

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.