Aggregate production down slightly in 2011

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has released its full 2011 U.S. aggregate production numbers. An estimated 281 million metric tons (Mt) of crushed stone was produced and shipped for consumption in the United States in the fourth quarter of 2011, a slight increase compared with that of the same period of 2010. The estimated annual output of crushed stone produced for consumption in 2011 was 1.14 billion metric tons (Gt), a slight decrease compared with that of 2010.

The estimated U.S. output of construction sand and gravel produced and shipped for consumption in the fourth quarter of 2010 was 197 Mt, an increase of 3.7 percent compared with that of the same period of 2010. The estimated annual output of construction sand and gravel produced for consumption in 2011 was 795 Mt, the same as that of 2010.

An estimated 477 Mt of total aggregates was produced and shipped for consumption in the United States in the fourth quarter of 2011, an increase of 2.4 percent compared with that of the same period of 2010. The estimated annual output of aggregates produced for consumption in 2011 was 1.93 Gt, a slight decrease compared with that of 2010.

The above estimates are based on information reported to the USGS quarterly sample survey by crushed stone and construction sand and gravel producers.

Shipments of portland cement increased by 7.5 percent in the fourth quarter of 2011, and annual consumption increased by 3.1 percent in 2011, compared with consumption in 2010. This information is obtained from the USGS monthly survey of U.S. cement producers.

The estimated production-for-consumption of crushed stone in the fourth quarter of 2011 increased in six of the nine geographic divisions compared with that sold or used in the fourth quarter of 2010. Production-for-consumption of crushed stone increased in 25 of the 46 states that were estimated. The five leading states, in descending order of production-for- consumption, were Texas, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Ohio and Illinois. Their combined total production-for-consumption was 96.1 Mt and represented 34 percent of the U.S. total.

The estimated production-for-consumption of construction sand and gravel in the fourth quarter of 2011 increased from fourth quarter 2010 levels in six of the nine geographic divisions. Production-for-consumption of construction sand and gravel increased in 21 of the 47 states that were estimated. The five leading states, in descending order of production-for- consumption, were California, Texas, Minnesota, Michigan and Ohio. Their combined total production-for-consumption was 65.4 Mt and represented 33 percent of the U.S. total.

The estimated production-for-consumption of aggregates in the fourth quarter of 2011 increased in seven of the geographic divisions compared with that sold or used in the fourth quarter of 2010. Production-for-consumption of aggregates increased in 25 of the 48 states that were estimated.

The estimated total annual production-for-consumption of aggregates in 2011 increased, compared with that of 2010, in 22 of the 50 states that were estimated. The five leading states, in descending order of total annual output for 2011, were Texas, California, Pennsylvania, Missouri and Ohio. Their combined total annual output was 571 Mt, a 4 percent increase compared with that of 2010.