USGS: Third-quarter aggregate production slips 5 percent

Crushed stone production was down in the third quarter, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Photo: P&Q Staff

An estimated 707 million metric tons (Mt) of construction aggregate were produced and shipped for consumption in the U.S. in the third quarter of 2020, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reports.

The 707 Mt represents a decrease of 5 percent compared with the third quarter of 2019.

For the first nine months of the year, USGS estimates total aggregate production for consumption to be at 1.82 billion (Gt) metric tons. That is a decrease of 3 percent compared with the first nine months of 2019.

USGS came to these estimates based on its quarterly sample survey of aggregate producers.

By geography, aggregate production for consumption decreased in seven of the nine geographic divisions USGS tracks compared with what sold or was used in the third quarter of 2019.

The five leading aggregate-producing states were Texas, California, Missouri, Ohio and Michigan. Their combined total in the first nine months of 2020 was 541 Mt, representing a slight decrease compared with the same period of 2019. The five states represent 30 percent of the U.S. total, USGS says.

Crushed stone production

Meanwhile, in crushed stone specifically, an estimated 416 Mt were produced and shipped for consumption in the third quarter. That’s a decrease of 6 percent compared with the third quarter of 2019, USGS says.

The estimated crushed stone production for consumption in the first nine months of 2020 was 1.1 Gt, a decrease of 3 percent compared with the same period of 2019.

By geography, crushed stone production for consumption decreased in the third quarter in eight of the nine geographic divisions USGS tracks.

According to USGS, the five leading crushed stone-producing states were Texas, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Florida and Ohio. Their combined total production for consumption in the first nine months of the year was 382 Mt – a slight decrease compared with the same period of 2019. The five states represent 35 percent of the U.S. total, USGS adds.

Sand and gravel production

Sand and gravel production also dipped in the third quarter, the U.S. Geological Survey reports. Photo: P&Q Staff

USGS’s estimated U.S. output of construction sand and gravel produced and shipped for consumption in the third quarter was 290 Mt – a decrease of 4 percent compared with the third quarter of 2019.

The agency’s estimated sand and gravel production for consumption total for the first nine months of the year was 719 Mt. That estimate represents a slight decrease compared with the same stretch of 2019.

By geography, third-quarter sand and gravel production decreased in five of the nine geographic divisions USGS tracks.

The five leading sand and gravel-producing states were California, Texas, Minnesota, Michigan and Arizona, USGS says. The states’ combined total production for consumption in the first nine months of the year was 266 Mt – a decrease of 3 percent compared with the same period of 2019. The five states also represent 37 percent of the U.S. total, USGS says.

Portland cement

Portland (including blended) cement consumption decreased by 3 percent in the third quarter. Consumption in the first nine months of 2020 increased slightly, however, compared with the same 2019 period.

USGS obtained its information on portland cement from a monthly survey of U.S. cement producers.