Crushed stone production up in second quarter

An estimated 321 million metric tons (Mt) of crushed stone were produced and shipped for consumption in the United States in the second quarter of 2013, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The 321 Mt represent a slight increase compared with that of the second quarter of 2012. The estimated production for consumption in the first six months of 2013 was 533 Mt – a slight decrease compared with that of the same period of 2012.

Also, USGS estimated U.S. output of construction sand and gravel produced and shipped for consumption in the second quarter of 2013 was 234 Mt. That’s a slight decrease compared with the second quarter of the previous year. The estimated production for consumption in the first six months of 2013 was 375 Mt – also a slight decrease compared with that of the same period of 2012.

In addition, an estimated 555 Mt of total construction aggregates was produced and shipped for consumption in the United States in the second quarter of 2013, according to USGS. That’s a slight decrease compared with the second quarter of 2012. The estimated production for consumption in the first six months of 2013 was 908 Mt – a slight decrease compared with that of the same period of 2012.

One increase was in portland cement consumption, which increased slightly in the second quarter compared with the second quarter of 2012. The estimated consumption over the first six months of this year also increased slightly.

Regionally, the estimated production-for-consumption of crushed stone in the second quarter of 2013 increased in five of the nine geographic divisions USGS measures, compared with the crushed stone sold or used in the second quarter of 2012.

The largest crushed stone increases were recorded in the West South Central, East South Central and the South Atlantic divisions. Production-for-consumption increased in 18 of the 46 states that were estimated, with the five leading states being Texas, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Ohio and Florida. Their combined total production-for-consumption was 113 Mt and represented 35 percent of the U.S. total.

The estimated production-for-consumption of construction sand and gravel in the second quarter of 2013 increased in four of the nine geographic divisions, compared with that sold or used in the second quarter of 2012.

The largest increases in percentages were recorded in the South Atlantic, the Pacific and the West South Central divisions. Production-for-consumption increased in 20 of the 46 states that were estimated. The five leading states were Texas, California, Michigan, Arizona and Colorado. Their combined total production-for-consumption was 77.3 Mt and represented 33 percent of the U.S. total.

In addition, the estimated production-for-consumption of construction aggregates in the second quarter of 2013 increased in five of the nine geographic divisions compared with that sold or used in the second quarter of 2012.

The largest increases in percentages were recorded in the Pacific, West South Central and the South Atlantic divisions. Production-for-consumption increased in 17 of the 44 states that were estimated. The five leading states, in descending order of production-for-consumption, were Texas, California, Pennsylvania, Missouri and Ohio. Their combined total production-for-consumption was 168 Mt and represented 30 percent of the U.S. total.