Aggregate production up last quarter, for all of 2013

An estimated 292 million metric tons (Mt) of crushed stone were produced and shipped for consumption in the United States in the fourth quarter of 2013, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reports. That’s an increase of 3 percent compared with the same period of 2012.

According to USGS, the estimated annual output of crushed stone produced for consumption in 2013 was 1.19 billion metric tons (Gt) – a slight increase compared with 2012.

The estimated U.S. output of construction sand and gravel produced and shipped for consumption in the fourth quarter of 2013 was 212 Mt – an increase of 6 percent compared with the same period of 2012. The estimated annual output of construction sand and gravel produced for consumption in 2013 was 848 Mt – an increase of 4 percent compared with 2012.

An estimated 504 Mt of total construction aggregates were produced and shipped for consumption in the United States in the fourth quarter of 2013 – an increase of 4 percent compared with the same period of 2012. The estimated annual output of construction aggregates produced for consumption in 2013 was 2.04 Gt – an increase of 3 percent compared with 2012.

All three of these categorical estimates are based on information reported to USGS quarterly sample survey from crushed stone and construction sand-and-gravel producers.

Shipments of portland cement, meanwhile, increased by an estimated 5 percent in the fourth quarter of 2013. Annual consumption increased an estimated 4 percent in 2013 compared with consumption in 2012. This information is obtained from the USGS monthly survey of U.S. cement producers.

According to USGS, the estimated production for consumption of crushed stone in the fourth quarter of 2013 increased in seven of the nine geographic divisions it measures, compared with that sold or used in the fourth quarter of 2012. Production for consumption of crushed stone increased in 26 of the 46 states for which estimates were made. The five leading states, in descending order of production for consumption, were Texas, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Florida and Kentucky. Their combined total production for consumption was 94.3 Mt and represented 32 percent of the U.S. total.

The estimated production for consumption of construction sand and gravel  in the fourth quarter of 2013 increased from fourth-quarter 2012 levels in eight of the nine geographic divisions. Production for consumption of construction sand and gravel increased in 31 of the 45 states for which estimates were made. The five leading states, in descending order of production for consumption, were California, Texas, Minnesota, Washington and Colorado. Their combined total production for consumption was 72.9 Mt and represented 34 percent of the U.S. total.

The estimated production for consumption of construction aggregates in the fourth quarter of 2013 increased in all of the nine geographic divisions compared with that sold or used in the fourth quarter of 2012. In the fourth quarter, production for consumption of aggregates increased in 27 of the 43 states for which estimates were made.

The estimated total annual production for consumption of construction aggregates in 2013 increased, compared with that of 2012, in 30 of the 50 states for which estimates were made. The five leading states, in descending order of total annual output for 2013, were Texas, California, Pennsylvania, Missouri and Ohio. Their combined total annual output was 598 Mt – an estimated increase of a little more than 4 percent when compared with 2012.