The estimated annual output of construction aggregates produced for consumption slightly decreased from 2.50 billion metric tons (Gt) in 2022 to 2.47 Gt in 2023, according to U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Commodity Specialist Jason Willett.
The estimated annual output of crushed stone produced for consumption in 2023 was 1.54 Gt, down from 1.55 Gt in 2022. The estimated annual output of construction sand and gravel produced for consumption was 922 million metric tons (Mt), a decrease of 3% compared with that of 2022.
The estimated total annual production for consumption of construction aggregates in 2023 increased compared with that in 2022 in 22 of the 50 states for which estimates were made. The five leading states were, in descending order of total annual output for 2023, Texas, California, Florida, Ohio and Missouri. Their combined total annual production for consumption was 733 Mt, a decreased of 3% compared with that in 2022.
For the fourth quarter of 2023, an estimated 601 Mt of total construction aggregates was produced and shipped for consumption, a slight increase compared with the prior-year period. An estimated 377 Mt of crushed stone was produced and shipped for consumption in the quarter, a slight increase compared with that of the same period of 2022. Lastly, the estimated output of construction sand and gravel produced and shipped for consumption in the fourth quarter was 224 Mt, an increase of 3% compared with that in the prior-year period.
The estimated production for consumption of construction aggregates in the fourth quarter of 2023 increased in five of the nine geographic divisions compared with that sold or used in the fourth quarter of 2022. In the fourth quarter, production for consumption increased in 22 of the 43 states for which production estimates of construction aggregates were made.
The estimated production for consumption of crushed stone in the fourth quarter of 2023 increased in six of the nine geographic divisions compared with that sold or used in the prior-year period. Production for consumption increased in 26 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 2023 increased in five of the nine geographic divisions compared with that sold or used in the fourth quarter of 2022. Production for consumption increased in 20 of the 45 states for which production estimates of construction sand and gravel were made.
Shipments of portland and blended cement were unchanged in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared with that in fourth quarter of 2022. Annual consumption decreased slightly in 2023 compared with that in 2022. This information is obtained from the USGS monthly survey of U.S. cement producers.