First-Quarter Aggregates Production

USGS Reports a First-Quarter Aggregates Production Increase.

By Mark S. Kuhar

The estimated U.S. output of construction aggregates produced and shipped for consumption in the first quarter of 2019 was 449 million metric tons (Mt), an increase of 9% compared with that of the same period of 2018, according to Jason Willett, crushed stone commodity specialist for the U.S. Geological Survey.

An estimated 281 Mt of crushed stone was produced and shipped for consumption in the United States in the first quarter of 2019, an increase of 13% compared with that of the same period of 2018.

The estimated U.S. output of construction sand and gravel produced and shipped for consumption in the first quarter of 2019 was 168 Mt, an increase of 3% compared with that of the same period of 2018.

Shipments of portland and blended cement increased slightly in the first quarter of 2019 compared with the first quarter of 2018. This information was obtained from the USGS monthly survey of U.S. cement producers.

The estimated production-for-consumption of construction aggregates in the first quarter of 2019 increased in five of the nine geographic divisions compared with that sold or used in the first quarter of 2018. Production-for-consumption increased in 25 of the 39 states that were estimated.

The five leading states were, in descending order of production-for-consumption, Texas, Florida, California, North Carolina and Arizona. Their combined total production-for-consumption was 155 Mt and increased by 4% when compared with that of the same period of 2018.

The estimated production-for-consumption of crushed stone in the first quarter of 2019 increased in six of the nine geographic divisions compared with that sold or used in the first quarter of 2018. Production-for-consumption increased in 28 of the 45 states for which estimates were made.

The five leading states were, in descending order of production-for-consumption, Texas, Florida, North Carolina, Georgia and Pennsylvania.

The estimated production-for-consumption of construction sand and gravel in the first quarter of 2019 increased from that of first quarter 2018 in five of the nine geographic divisions. Production-for-consumption increased in 22 of the 42 states for which estimates were made.

The five leading states were, in descending order of production-for-consumption, Texas, California, Arizona, Washington and Florida. 

Methodology

The quarterly sample survey generates production-for-consumption estimates by quarters, based on information reported voluntarily by a limited number of producing companies.

In most quarters, a few companies may report amounts sold in the current quarter that differ greatly from the amounts reported in the previous year during the same quarter. This change in sales is almost never an indicator of the change in the demand in the state as a whole.

The reason for a large change can be the opening or closing of an operation, weather or an external force that only the company or one of its operations experienced in that quarter.

Previously reported data are occasionally revised, and the estimated quantities for the prior quarters are then recalculated. The latest release of the quarterly Mineral Industry Surveys contains the most recent estimated totals and supersedes previously published reports.