The weather and the economy delivered a one-two punch to the aggregate industry during the first quarter. According to the most recent U.S. Geological Survey data, crushed stone production fell 4.9% and sand and gravel production fell 3.4% in the first quarter compared with that period in 2002.

The agency's Mineral Industry Survey reports that an estimated 267 million metric tons of crushed stone were produced in Q1. Crushed stone production decreased in seven of the nine geographic regions. The East South Central and the Pacific regions showed increases of 5.2% and 0.4%, respectively. The Middle Atlantic region was the hardest hit, with production dropping 16.3%.

Crushed stone production fell in 28 of the 40 states surveyed. Idaho reported the largest percentage decrease of 42.5%. However, only three companies in Idaho responded to the survey. New York (-33.3%), Colorado (-22.9%), Wyoming (-19.4%) and Arkansas (-18.8%) also reported significant drops in production. Each of those states had less than 10 companies reporting.

Minnesota and Oregon producers reported crushed stone production gains of 45.7% and 31.2%, respectively. Alabama (13.1%) and Utah (12.9%) also experienced production gains. Eleven companies reported from both Alabama and Oregon, while four companies reported from Utah and Minnesota.

The U.S.G.S. reports an estimated 181 million metric tons of sand and gravel were produced in Q1. Like crushed stone, sand and gravel production decreased in all but two of the geographic regions. Mountain and Pacific regions reported increases of 10.3% and 0.3%, respectively. The East South Central saw the largest decrease of 14.8%.

Sand and gravel production also fell in 28 of the 45 states reporting. Kentucky saw a 33.7% decrease, while Nebraska, North Carolina, Tennessee and Iowa all fell more than 20%. The biggest production jumps were reported in Montana (67.6%), Minnesota (56.8%), Utah (49%) and Idaho (42.5%). All those states had five or fewer companies reporting, except Minnesota, which had 10.

Based on U.S.G.S. Mineral Industry Survey of crushed stone and sand and gravel in Q1 2003 by Valentin V. Tepordei.