USGS: Quarterly aggregate production drops

An estimated 687 million metric tons (Mt) of total construction aggregate were produced and shipped for consumption in the United States in the third quarter of 2016, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

This figure is a slight decrease compared with what USGS reported in the third quarter of 2015. Still, the estimated production for consumption in the first nine months of 2016 was 1.78 billion metric tons (Gt), an increase of 5 percent compared with the first three quarters of 2015.

Looking more closely, third-quarter figures decreased in six of the nine geographic divisions USGS measures compared with that sold or used in the third quarter of 2015. Production for consumption decreased in 22 of the 43 states that were estimated, with the five leading states being Texas, California, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Ohio. The combined production for consumption of these five was 197 Mt, a 5 percent decrease.

Also, an estimated 397 Mt of crushed stone was produced and shipped for consumption in the U.S. in the third quarter of 2016, a decrease of 3 percent compared with that of the third quarter in 2015. The estimated production for consumption in the first nine months of 2016 was 1.05 Gt, an increase of 6 percent compared with that of the same period in 2015.

For the quarter, the estimated production for consumption of crushed stone decreased in six of the nine divisions USGS measures compared with that sold or used in the third quarter of 2015. Production for consumption decreased in 24 of the 46 states estimated, and the five leading states were Texas, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Florida and Illinois. Their combined production for consumption was 123 Mt, a 6 percent decrease.

Also, the estimated U.S. output of construction sand and gravel produced and shipped for consumption during the third quarter of 2016 was 290 Mt, an unchanged figure compared with that of the third quarter in 2015, USGS adds. The estimated production for consumption in the first nine months of 2016 was 732 Mt, an increase of 4 percent compared with that of the same period in 2015.

The estimated production for consumption of sand and gravel decreased in seven of the nine divisions USGS measures compared with that sold or used in the third quarter of 2015. Production for consumption decreased in 24 of 45 states that were estimated. The five leading states were California, Minnesota, Texas, Michigan and Washington. Their combined total production for consumption was 109 Mt, a slight decrease compared to the third quarter of 2015.

Read the full report here.