Aggregate production down in second quarter 2020

Crushed stone production was down slightly in the second quarter of 2020, as was sand and gravel production. Photo: P&Q Staff

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) released its second-quarter production for consumption findings on construction aggregate, as well as crushed stone and sand and gravel.

The agency notes that all three categories were down compared to the second quarter of 2019.

An estimated 660 million metric tons (Mt) of total construction aggregate were produced and shipped for consumption in the U.S. in the second quarter of 2020, marking a decrease of 3.2 percent compared to the second quarter of 2019.

The five leading aggregate-producing states were Texas, California, Florida, Missouri and Ohio. Their combined total production for consumption in the second quarter increased slightly to 195 Mt, representing 30 percent of the U.S. total.

Aggregate production for consumption in the first six months of 2020 decreased slightly compared with the same period of 2019.

Crushed stone

An estimated 404 Mt of crushed stone were produced and shipped for consumption in the U.S. in the second quarter of 2020, a 2.3 percent decrease compared with the second quarter of 2019.

The five leading crushed stone-producing states were Texas, Missouri, Florida, Pennsylvania and Ohio. Their combined total production for consumption in the quarter was unchanged at 135 Mt. Their share represented one-third of the U.S. total.

Additionally, crushed stone production for consumption in the first six months of 2020 decreased slightly compared with that of the same period of 2019.

Sand and gravel

The estimated U.S. output of construction sand and gravel produced and shipped for consumption in the second quarter of the year was 255 Mt, a decrease of almost 5 percent compared with the second quarter of 2019.

The five leading sand and gravel-producing states were California, Texas, Arizona, Minnesota and Michigan. Their combined total production for consumption in the second quarter decreased by 4 percent to 94 Mt and represented 37 percent of the U.S. total.

Sand and gravel production for consumption in the first six months of 2020 decreased slightly compared with that of the same period of 2019.

Portland cement

USGS also shared its latest findings on portland cement consumption, detailing that it decreased slightly in the second quarter. Consumption in the first six months of the year, however, was up 3 percent compared with the same six-month stretch of 2019.