Aggregate production up nicely in the third quarter

By |  November 30, 2021
Photo: P&Q Staff

Crushed stone production for consumption was up 4 percent in the third quarter, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Photo: P&Q Staff

An estimated 731 million metric tons of total construction aggregate were produced and shipped for consumption in the U.S. in the third quarter this year, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reports.

That tonnage represents an increase of 4 percent compared with production from the third quarter of 2020. The USGS estimate is based on information reported to the agency on its quarterly sample survey of construction aggregate producers.

Additionally, USGS says the estimated aggregate production for consumption total in the first nine months of 2021 was 1.90 billion metric tons. That mark is an increase of 5 percent versus the first nine months of 2020.

Third-quarter 2021 aggregate production increased in seven of the nine geographic divisions USGS measures. The five leading aggregate-producing states in the third quarter were Texas, California, Missouri, Ohio and Florida. Their combined total production for consumption was 220 million metric tons, an increase of 6 percent compared with the third quarter of 2020.

Crushed stone

According to USGS, an estimated 436 million metric tons of crushed stone were produced and shipped for consumption in third quarter this year. That mark is an increase of 4 percent compared with the third quarter of 2020.

The estimated crushed stone production for consumption in the first nine months of 2021 was 1.14 billion metric tons, an increase of 3 percent versus the same period of 2020.

Crushed stone production for consumption in the third quarter increased in seven of the nine geographic divisions USGS measures. The five leading crushed stone-producing states were Texas, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Florida and Ohio. Their combined total production for consumption was 152 million metric tons, an increase of 4 percent compared with the same stretch of 2020.

Sand and gravel

The estimated U.S. output of construction sand and gravel produced and shipped for consumption in the third quarter of 2021, meanwhile, was 294 million metric tons – an increase of 4 percent compared with the third quarter of 2020.

Sand and gravel production for consumption through the first nine months of the year was 753 million metric tons, an increase of 7 percent compared with the first nine months of 2020.

In the third quarter, sand and gravel production increased in four of the nine geographic divisions USGS measures compared with the third quarter of 2020. The five leading sand and gravel-producing states in the third quarter of 2021 were California, Texas, Minnesota, Michigan and Arizona. Their combined total production for consumption was 102 million metric tons, a slight increase compared with the same period of 2020.

Portland cement

Portland cement consumption also increased slightly in the third quarter of 2021 versus the third quarter of 2020. Consumption in the first nine months of the year increased 4 percent.

Kevin Yanik

About the Author:

Kevin Yanik is editor-in-chief of Pit & Quarry. He can be reached at 216-706-3724 or kyanik@northcoastmedia.net.

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