USGS: First-quarter aggregate production up 4 percent

Total construction aggregate production in the first quarter of 2022 is up an estimated 4.1 percent over the first quarter of 2021. Photo: P&Q Staff

An estimated 476 million metric tons of construction aggregates were produced and shipped for consumption in the first quarter of 2022, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

This estimated total represents a 4.1 percent increase over the first quarter of 2022. 

First-quarter aggregate production increased in four of the nine geographic divisions USGS measures compared with the first quarter of 2021. Aggregate production increased in 25 of the 42 states that were estimated. 

USGS says the five leading aggregate-producing states in the first quarter were Texas, California, Florida, Missouri and Arizona. Their combined total production for consumption was 169 million metric tons, or 35 percent of the U.S. total. 

Crushed stone

Within construction aggregates, an estimated 291 million metric tons of crushed stone were produced and shipped for consumption in the first quarter of 2022. This mark is a 3.5 percent increase compared with the same period of last year.

Crushed stone production in the first quarter increased in five of the nine geographic divisions USGS measures compared to the first quarter of 2021. Production increased in 29 of the 45 states for which estimates were made, USGS says. 

The five leading crushed stone-producing states in the first quarter were Texas, Florida, Missouri, Georgia and Pennsylvania. Their combined total production for consumption was 111 million metric tons, up 6.6 percent over the first quarter of 2021. 

Sand and gravel

First-quarter sand and gravel production was an estimated 185 million metric tons, a 5.2 percent increase versus the same period last year, according to USGS.

Sand and gravel production in the first quarter of 2022 increased in five of the nine geographic divisions USGS measures over the first quarter of 2021. Additionally, USGS says production increased in 27 of the 45 states for which estimates were made.

The top five sand and gravel-producing states in the first quarter of 2022 were California, Texas, Arizona, Utah and Washington. Their total first-quarter production reached 76.9 million metric tons, an 8.1 percent increase compared to last year’s first quarter. 

USGS’s crushed stone, sand and gravel estimates are based on information reported to the agency through its quarterly sample survey of U.S. aggregate producers.

Portland cement

USGS also says shipments of portland and blended cement increased 5.9 percent in the first quarter of 2022 compared with the same time period in 2021. 

The agency says it obtained this information from its monthly survey of U.S. cement producers.