An estimated 687 million metric tons (Mt) of total construction aggregates was produced and shipped for consumption in the United States in the third quarter of 2016, a slight decrease compared with that of the third quarter of 2015. 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 that of the same period of 2015, according to Jason Willett, crushed stone commodity specialist for the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
An estimated 397 Mt of crushed stone was produced and shipped for consumption in the United States in the third quarter of 2016, a decrease of 3 percent compared with that of the third quarter of 2015. The estimated production for consumption in the first nine months of 2016 was 1.05 billion Gt, an increase of 6 percent compared with that of the same period of 2015.
The estimated U.S. output of construction sand and gravel produced and shipped for consumption in the third quarter of 2016 was 290 Mt, virtually unchanged compared with that of the third quarter of 2015. 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 of 2015.
Portland (including blended) cement consumption decreased by 3.9 percent in the third quarter of 2016 compared with that of the third quarter of 2015. Consumption in the first nine months of 2016 increased by 3.1 percent compared with that of the same period of 2015.
The estimated production for consumption of construction aggregates in the third quarter of 2016 decreased in six of the nine geographic divisions compared with that sold or used in the third quarter of 2015. Production for consumption decreased in 22 of the 43 states for which estimates were made.
The five leading states were, in descending order of production-for-consumption, Texas, California, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Ohio. Their combined total production for consumption was 197 Mt, a decrease of 5 percent compared with that of the same period of 2015 and represented 29 percent of the U.S. total.
The estimated production for consumption of crushed stone in the third quarter of 2016 decreased in six of the nine geographic divisions compared with that sold or used in the third quarter of 2015. Production for consumption decreased in 24 of the 46 states for which estimates were made.
The above estimates are based on information reported to USGS on its quarterly sample survey of construction aggregates producers.