USGS: Fourth-quarter aggregate production up 7 percent

Aggregate production was up 7 percent in the fourth quarter, and it jumped 5 percent for all of last year, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Photo: P&Q Staff

An estimated 647 million metric tons of construction aggregates were produced and shipped for consumption in the fourth quarter of 2021, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

The estimated total is an increase of 7 percent versus the fourth quarter of 2020.

Fourth-quarter aggregate production increased in eight of the nine geographic divisions USGS measures compared with the fourth quarter of 2020. Aggregate production increased in 35 of the 40 states for which estimates were made.

Additionally, USGS says the five leading aggregate-producing states in the fourth quarter were Texas, Missouri, California, Florida and Ohio. Their combined total production for consumption was 200 million metric tons, or 31 percent of the U.S. total.

USGS adds that roughly 2.54 billion metric tons of construction aggregates were produced for consumption for all of 2021 – a 5 percent increase over 2020.

Crushed stone

Within construction aggregates, an estimated 397 million metric tons of crushed stone were produced and shipped for consumption in the fourth quarter last year. The mark is an increase of 8 percent compared with the fourth quarter of 2020.

In last year’s fourth quarter, crushed stone production increased in eight of the nine geographic divisions USGS measures versus the fourth quarter of 2020. Production increased in 37 of the 45 states for which crushed stone production estimates were made.

For all of 2021, USGS says the estimated annual output of crushed stone was 1.54 billion metric tons – a 4 percent bump compared to 2020.

Sand and gravel

In sand and gravel, fourth-quarter production was estimated at 250 million metric tons, or an increase of 5 percent versus the fourth quarter of 2020, according to USGS.

Fourth-quarter sand and gravel production increased from the fourth quarter of 2020 in eight of USGS’s nine geographic divisions. Additionally, USGS says production increased in 34 of the 43 states for which sand and gravel production estimates were made.

According to USGS, the estimated annual output of construction sand and gravel for all of 2021 was 1 billion tons. That mark represents a 6 percent increase versus 2020.

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

Portland cement

Also, USGS says shipments of portland and blended cement increased 4 percent in the fourth quarter of 2021. Annual consumption, meanwhile, increased 4 percent in 2021 versus 2020.

USGS says it obtains its cement information from a monthly survey of U.S. cement producers.