An estimated 556 million metric tons (Mt) of total construction aggregates was produced and shipped for consumption in the United States in the fourth quarter of 2016, a decrease of 4 percent compared with that of the same period of 2015. The estimated annual output of construction aggregates produced for consumption in 2016 was 2.33 billion metric tons (Gt), an increase of 3 percent compared with that of 2015, according to Jason Willet, U.S. Geological Survey crushed stone commodity specialist.
Total 2016 production was previously estimated by USGS in its annual Mineral Commodity Summaries report as 2.49 billion Gt, up from 2.28 Gt in 2015.
An estimated 328 Mt of crushed stone was produced and shipped for consumption in the United States in the fourth quarter of 2016, a decrease of 4 percent compared with that of the same period of 2015. The estimated annual output of crushed stone produced for consumption in 2016 was 1.37 Gt, an increase of 3 percent compared with that of 2015.
The estimated U.S. output of construction sand and gravel produced and shipped for consumption in the fourth quarter of 2016 was 228 Mt, a decrease of 3 percent compared with that of the same period of 2015. The estimated annual output of construction sand and gravel produced for consumption in 2016 was 959 Mt, a slight increase compared with that of 2015.
Shipments of portland and blended cement decreased slightly in the fourth quarter of 2016 compared with the fourth quarter of 2015. Annual consumption increased slightly in 2016, compared with that of 2015.
The estimated production for consumption of construction aggregates in the fourth quarter of 2016 decreased in seven of the nine geographic divisions compared with that sold or used in the fourth quarter of 2015. In the fourth quarter, production for consumption decreased in 23 of the 43 states for which production estimates of construction aggregates were made.
The five leading states in the fourth quarter of 2016 were, in descending order of production, Texas, California, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Michigan. Their combined total production for consumption was 159 Mt (29 percent of the U.S. total).
The estimated total annual production for consumption of construction aggregates in 2016 increased, compared with that in 2015, in 28 of the 50 states for which estimates were made.
The five leading states were, in descending order of total annual output for 2016, Texas, California, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Florida. Their combined total annual output was 661 Mt, a slight increase when compared with that of 2015.
The estimated production for consumption of crushed stone in the fourth quarter of 2016 decreased in seven of the nine geographic divisions compared with that sold or used in the fourth quarter of 2015. Production for consumption decreased in 25 of the 46 states for which production estimates of crushed stone were made.
The estimated production for consumption of construction sand and gravel in the fourth quarter of 2016 decreased from fourth quarter 2015 levels in six of the nine geographic divisions. Production for consumption decreased in 27 of the 45 states for which production estimates of construction sand and gravel were made.