Aggregates Production Increases in First Quarter.
By Mark S. Kuhar
Aggregates production in the first quarter of 2015 increased for both crushed stone and sand and gravel, according to U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Crushed Stone Commodity Specialist Jason Willett.
The estimated U.S. output of construction aggregates produced and shipped for consumption in the first quarter of 2015 was 389 million metric tons (Mt), an increase of 8 percent compared with that of the same period of 2014.
| CRUSHED STONE SOLD OR USED BY PRODUCERS IN THE UNITED STATES, BY DIVISION1 | ||||||||
| (Thousand metric tons and thousand dollars) | ||||||||
| 2014 | 2015 | |||||||
| Quantity | Value | Quantity | Percent | |||||
| Region/Division2 | 1st qtr. | 2nd qtr. | 3rd qtr. | 4th qtr. | 1st-4th qtr.3 | 1st-4th qtr.3 | 1st qtr. | change4 |
| Northeast: | ||||||||
| New England | 2,030 | 11,400 | 14,700 | 10,600 | 38,700 | 466,000 | 1,850 | -8.7 |
| Middle Atlantic | 14,100 | 37,500 | 48,000 | 35,500 | 135,000 | 1,480,000 | 15,600 | 10.5 |
| Midwest: | ||||||||
| East North Central | 20,800 | 53,600 | 72,800 | 57,000 | 204,000 | 1,750,000 | 24,300 | 17.0 |
| West North Central | 19,000 | 40,600 | 46,900 | 32,100 | 140,000 | 1,310,000 | 22,200 | 17.2 |
| South: | ||||||||
| South Atlantic | 48,800 | 69,600 | 70,200 | 62,100 | 251,000 | 3,280,000 | 50,700 | 4.0 |
| East South Central | 21,700 | 34,200 | 38,600 | 31,500 | 126,000 | 1,410,000 | 22,500 | 3.6 |
| West South Central | 52,900 | 59,800 | 62,300 | 57,100 | 232,000 | 1,970,000 | 55,100 | 4.2 |
| West: | ||||||||
| Mountain | 10,300 | 14,700 | 17,800 | 12,600 | 58,000 | 475,000 | 10,700 | 4.2 |
| Pacific | 13,400 | 17,900 | 21,300 | 16,400 | 69,000 | 699,000 | 15,500 | 15.5 |
| Total5 | 216,000 | 343,000 | 385,000 | 317,000 | 1,260,000 | 12,900,000 | 230,000 | 6.9 |
|
1. Quarterly totals shown are estimates based on a sample survey. Estimated quantities for prior quarters have been recalculated. |
||||||||
|
2. Sales region equivalent to U.S. Census Bureau Geographic Division as follows: New England (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT); Middle Atlantic (NJ, NY, PA); East North Central (IL, IN, MI, OH, WI); West North Central (IA, KS, MN, MO, NE, ND, SD); South Atlantic (DE, FL, GA, MD, NC, SC, VA, WV); East South Central (AL, KY, MS, TN); West South Central (AR, LA, OK, TX); Mountain (AZ, CO, ID, MT, NM, NV, UT, WY); Pacific (AK, CA, HI, OR, WA). |
||||||||
|
3. Data may not add to totals shown because of independent rounding and differences between projected totals by states and by divisions. |
||||||||
|
4. Compared with same period of preceding year; all percentages are calculated using unrounded totals. |
||||||||
|
5. Includes all 50 states. |
||||||||
| CONSTRUCTION SAND AND GRAVEL SOLD OR USED BY PRODUCERS IN THE UNITED STAETS, BY DIVISION1 | ||||||||
| (Thousand metric tons and thousand dollars) | ||||||||
| 2014 | 2015 | |||||||
| Quantity | Value | Quantity | Percent | |||||
| Region/Division2 | 1st qtr. | 2nd qtr. | 3rd qtr. | 4th qtr. | 1st-4th qtr.3 | 1st-4th qtr.3 | 1st qtr. | change4 |
| Northeast: | ||||||||
| New England | 1,660 | 10,600 | 14,200 | 10,000 | 39,600 | 362,000 | 1,470 | -11.1 |
| Middle Atlantic | 5,850 | 12,600 | 17,700 | 13,400 | 49,600 | 465,000 | 6,240 | 6.7 |
| Midwest: | ||||||||
| East North Central | 8,060 | 29,400 | 42,800 | 29,900 | 138,000 | 903,000 | 10,500 | 30.3 |
| West North Central | 9,550 | 37,200 | 54,300 | 29,400 | 130,000 | 812,000 | 11,500 | 20.8 |
| South: | ||||||||
| South Atlantic | 10,200 | 14,300 | 14,500 | 13,200 | 52,300 | 448,000 | 10,500 | 3.2 |
| East South Central | 4,130 | 7,590 | 9,330 | 6,260 | 36,100 | 256,000 | 3,760 | -8.9 |
| West South Central | 31,600 | 35,000 | 33,800 | 29,500 | 130,000 | 1,060,000 | 27,400 | -13.4 |
| West: | ||||||||
| Mountain | 25,900 | 47,400 | 53,200 | 41,200 | 168,000 | 1,390,000 | 30,500 | 17.6 |
| Pacific | 28,300 | 38,700 | 44,000 | 34,100 | 145,000 | 1,490,000 | 31,200 | 10.6 |
| Total5 | 146,000 | 245,000 | 285,000 | 221,000 | 897,000 | 7,260,000 | 159,000 | 8.5 |
|
1. Quarterly totals shown are estimates based on a sample survey. Estimated quantities for prior quarters have been recalculated. |
||||||||
|
2. Sales region equivalent to U.S. Census Bureau Geographic Division as follows: New England (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT); Middle Atlantic (NJ, NY, PA); East North Central (IL, IN, MI, OH, WI); West North Central (IA, KS, MN, MO, NE, ND, SD); South Atlantic (DE, FL, GA, MD, NC, SC, VA, WV); East South Central (AL, KY, MS, TN); West South Central (AR, LA, OK, TX); Mountain (AZ, CO, ID, MT, NM, NV, UT, WY); Pacific (AK, CA, HI, OR, WA). |
||||||||
|
3. Data may not add to totals shown because of independent rounding and differences between projected totals by states and by divisions. |
||||||||
|
4. Compared with same period of preceding year; all percentages are calculated using unrounded totals. |
||||||||
|
5. Includes all 50 states. |
||||||||
| AGGREGATES SOLD OR USED BY PRODUCERS IN THE UNITED STATES, BY DIVISION1 | ||||||||
| (Thousand metric tons and thousand dollars) | ||||||||
| 2014 | 2015 | |||||||
| Quantity | Value | Quantity | Percent | |||||
| Region/Division2 | 1st qtr. | 2nd qtr. | 3rd qtr. | 4th qtr. | 1st-4th qtr.3 | 1st-4th qtr.3 | 1st qtr. | change4 |
| Northeast: | ||||||||
| New England | 3,570 | 21,300 | 28,400 | 20,000 | 78,400 | 828,000 | 3,170 | -11.1 |
| Middle Atlantic | 19,900 | 50,100 | 65,700 | 49,000 | 185,000 | 1,940,000 | 21,800 | 9.4 |
| Midwest: | ||||||||
| East North Central | 23,200 | 78,800 | 111,000 | 83,700 | 343,000 | 2,650,000 | 30,500 | 31.3 |
| West North Central | 27,300 | 69,000 | 89,700 | 55,500 | 270,000 | 2,130,000 | 32,800 | 20.0 |
| South: | ||||||||
| South Atlantic | 59,000 | 83,900 | 84,700 | 75,300 | 303,000 | 3,730,000 | 61,200 | 3.9 |
| East South Central | 19,100 | 33,000 | 38,600 | 30,400 | 162,000 | 1,660,000 | 20,000 | 5.0 |
| West South Central | 84,500 | 94,700 | 96,100 | 86,700 | 362,000 | 3,030,000 | 82,500 | -2.4 |
| West: | ||||||||
| Mountain | 35,300 | 58,000 | 66,100 | 50,600 | 226,000 | 1,860,000 | 40,000 | 13.1 |
| Pacific | 41,700 | 56,600 | 65,300 | 50,500 | 214,000 | 2,190,000 | 46,800 | 12.2 |
| Total5 | 362,000 | 587,000 | 670,000 | 538,000 | 2,160,000 | 20,200,000 | 389,000 | 7.5 |
|
1. Quarterly totals shown are estimates based on a sample survey. Estimated quantities for prior quarters have been recalculated. |
||||||||
|
2. Sales region equivalent to U.S. Census Bureau Geographic Division as follows: New England (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT); Middle Atlantic (NJ, NY, PA); East North Central (IL, IN, MI, OH, WI); West North Central (IA, KS, MN, MO, NE, ND, SD); South Atlantic (DE, FL, GA, MD, NC, SC, VA, WV); East South Central (AL, KY, MS, TN); West South Central (AR, LA, OK, TX); Mountain (AZ, CO, ID, MT, NM, NV, UT, WY); Pacific (AK, CA, HI, OR, WA). |
||||||||
|
3. Data may not add to totals shown because of independent rounding and differences between projected totals by states and by divisions. |
||||||||
|
4. Compared with same period of preceding year; all percentages are calculated using unrounded totals. |
||||||||
|
5. Includes all 50 states. |
||||||||
An estimated 230 Mt of crushed stone was produced and shipped for consumption in the United States in the first quarter of 2015, an increase of 7 percent compared with that of the same period of 2014.
The estimated U.S. output of construction sand and gravel produced and shipped for consumption in the first quarter of 2015 was 159 Mt, an increase of 9 percent compared with that of the same period of 2014.
The above estimates are based on USGS’ quarterly sample survey of construction aggregates producers.
Estimated portland cement consumption increased by 6 percent in the first quarter of 2015 compared with that of the first quarter of 2014, according to the USGS monthly survey of U.S. cement producers.
“Estimated production-for-consumption of construction aggregates in the first quarter of 2015 increased in seven of the nine geographic divisions compared with that sold or used in the first quarter of 2014,” Willett said. “The largest increases in percentages were recorded in the East North Central, the West North Central and the Mountain divisions.”
Production-for-consumption increased in 30 of the 43 states that were estimated. The five leading states were, in descending order of production-for-consumption, Texas, California, Florida, Missouri and Washington. Their combined total production-for-consumption was 135 Mt and increased by 5 percent when compared with that of the same period of 2014.
Estimated production-for-consumption of crushed stone in the first quarter of 2015 increased in eight of the nine geographic divisions compared with that sold or used in the first quarter of 2014. The largest increases in percentages were recorded in the West North Central and the East North Central divisions.
Production-for-consumption increased in 31 of the 46 states that were estimated. The five leading states were, in descending order of production-for-consumption, Texas, Florida, Missouri, Pennsylvania and Georgia. Their combined total production-for-consumption was 86.2 Mt and represented an increase of 5 percent compared with that in the first quarter of 2014.
Estimated production-for-consumption of construction sand and gravel in the first quarter of 2015 increased from first quarter 2014 levels in six of the nine geographic divisions. The largest increases in percentages were recorded in the East North Central and West North Central divisions.
Production-for-consumption increased in 27 of the 45 states that were estimated. The five leading states were, in descending order of production-for-consumption, Texas, California, Arizona, Washington and Colorado. Their combined total production-for-consumption was 67.4 Mt, which was an increase of 6 percent compared with that in the first quarter of 2014.
The quarterly sample survey generates production-for-consumption estimates by quarters, based on information reported voluntarily by a limited number of producers. In most quarters, a few companies may report amounts sold in the current quarter that vary greatly from the amounts reported in the prior-year period. This change in sales is almost never an indicator of the change in the demand in the state as a whole. The reason can be the opening or closing of an operation, weather or an external force that only the company or one of its operations experienced. Previously reported data are occasionally revised, and the estimated quantities then recalculated. The latest release of the quarterly Mineral Industry Surveys contains the most recent estimated totals and supersedes previously published reports.