AISI: U.S. Steel Shipments Rise Nearly 5% in 2025

U.S. steel mill shipments increased 4.9% in 2025, signaling a modest but broad-based recovery in domestic steel demand despite uneven performance across product categories, according to data released February 4 by the American Iron and Steel Institute.

Total shipments for the full year reached 90.95 million net tons, up from 86.70 million net tons in 2024, AISI said in its latest monthly report. December shipments totaled 7.45 million net tons, a 3.5% increase from December 2024 and a 5.4% gain from November levels, indicating year-end momentum in mill output and order fulfillment.

Industry observers note that the annual increase comes against a backdrop of stabilizing manufacturing activity and gradual improvement in downstream demand from construction, automotive and energy markets. While inflation and interest rate pressures weighed on steel consumption earlier in the year, analysts say inventory normalization and infrastructure-related demand provided support in the second half of 2025.

AISI’s breakdown by product category shows mixed trends. Shipments of corrosion-resistant sheet and strip rose 4% year over year, reflecting continued demand from automotive and appliance manufacturers seeking coated products. Hot-rolled sheet and strip shipments increased 1%, suggesting relatively steady demand from construction and industrial customers. In contrast, cold-rolled sheet and strip shipments declined 4%, a drop analysts attribute to softer demand in certain manufacturing segments and ongoing substitution toward coated products.

Comparisons with 2024 also reflect a market that remains sensitive to pricing volatility and import competition. Observers note that while domestic shipments improved, buyers remained cautious, managing inventories tightly amid uncertain economic signals and fluctuating steel prices.

Looking ahead, analysts say shipment growth in 2026 will depend on the pace of U.S. industrial production, federal infrastructure spending and automotive output, as well as trade policy developments affecting imports. Mills are expected to remain disciplined on capacity utilization as they balance demand recovery with cost pressures.

Source: AISI

SUNSHINE Spotlight: U.S. steel shipments rebounded in 2025, with nearly 5% annual growth highlighting firmer demand, even as product-level performance remained uneven.