An estimated 712 million metric tons (Mt) of total construction aggregates was sold or used in the United States in the third quarter of 2023, a decrease of 3% compared with that in the third quarter of 2022, according to Jason Christopher Willett, commodity specialist, National Minerals Information Center, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
This marks the fourth straight quarterly decrease for aggregates production.
The estimated production for consumption in the first nine months of 2023 was 1.86 billion metric tons (Gt), a slight decrease compared with that in the same period of 2022.
The estimated production for consumption of construction aggregates in the third quarter of 2023 decreased in seven of the nine geographic divisions compared with that sold or used in the third quarter of 2022.
The five leading states were, in descending order of production for consumption, Texas, California, Michigan, Ohio and Florida. Their combined total production for consumption was 212 Mt, unchanged compared with that in the same period of 2022.
An estimated 437 Mt of crushed stone was sold or used in the United States in the third quarter of 2023, a decrease of 3% compared with that in the third quarter of 2022. The estimated production for consumption in the first nine months of 2023 was 1.17 Gt, essentially unchanged compared with that in the same period of 2022.
The estimated U.S. output of construction sand and gravel sold or used in the third quarter of 2023 was 275 Mt, a decrease of 4% compared with that in the third quarter of 2022. The estimated production for consumption in the first nine months of 2023 was 698 Mt, a decrease of 5% compared with that in the same period of 2022.
The five leading states combined total production for consumption in the first 9 months of 2023 was 552 Mt, a decrease of 4% compared with that in the same period of 2022 and represented 30% of the U.S. total.
The above estimates are based on information reported to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) on its quarterly sample survey by construction aggregates producers.
Portland (including blended) cement consumption decreased 3% in the third quarter of 2023 compared with that of the third quarter of 2022. Consumption in the first nine months of 2023 also decreased slightly compared with that in the same period of 2022. This information was obtained from the USGS monthly survey of U.S. cement producers.
The estimated production for consumption of crushed stone in the third quarter of 2023 decreased in eight of the nine geographic divisions compared with that sold or used in the third quarter of 2022.
The five leading states were, in descending order of production for consumption, Texas, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Florida and Ohio. Their combined total production for consumption was 146 Mt, a decrease of 7% compared with that in the same period of 2022.
The estimated production for consumption of construction sand and gravel in the third quarter of 2023 decreased in seven of the nine geographic divisions compared with that sold or used in the third quarter of 2022.
The five leading states were, in descending order of production for consumption, California, Texas, Minnesota, Michigan and Arizona. Their combined total production for consumption was 106 Mt, essentially unchanged compared with that in the same period of 2022.