According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), an estimated 581 million metric tons (Mt) of total construction aggregates was produced and shipped for consumption in the fourth quarter of 2024, a decrease of 6% compared with that in the same period of 2023.
The estimated annual output of construction aggregates produced for consumption in 2024 was 2.38 billion metric tons (Gt), a 6% decrease from 2.52 Gt in 2023, according to Jason Christopher Willett, commodity specialist, National Minerals Information Center.
The estimated production for consumption of construction aggregates in the fourth quarter of 2024 decreased in eight of the nine geographic divisions compared with that sold or used in the fourth quarter of 2023. In the fourth quarter, production for consumption decreased in 33 of the 42 states for which production estimates of construction aggregates were made.
The five leading states in the fourth quarter of 2024, in descending order of production, were Texas, California, Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Their combined total for consumption in the fourth quarter of 2024 was 177 Mt, 30% of the U.S. total, a decrease of 4% compared with their combined total in the same period of 2023.
The estimated annual production for consumption of construction aggregates in 2024 decreased compared with that in 2023 in 39 of the 50 states. The five leading states were in descending order of total annual output for 2024 were Texas, California, Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Their combined total annual production for consumption was 730 Mt, a decrease of 5% compared with that in 2023.
Crushed Stone
An estimated 365 Mt of crushed stone was produced and shipped for consumption in the fourth quarter of 2024 a decrease of 4% compared with that in the same period of 2023. The estimated annual output of crushed stone produced for consumption in 2024 was 1.48 Gt, a 5% decrease from 1.55 Gt in 2023.
The estimated production for consumption of crushed stone in the fourth quarter of 2024 decreased in six of the nine geographic divisions compared with that in the fourth quarter of 2023. Production for consumption decreased in 33 of the 46 states for which production estimates of crushed stone were made.
Construction Sand and Gravel
The estimated output of construction sand and gravel produced for consumption in the fourth quarter of 2024 was 216 Mt, a decrease of 8% compared with that in the same period of 2023. The estimated output of construction sand and gravel produced for consumption in 2024 was 900 Mt, a decrease of 7% from 967 Mt in 2023.
The estimated production for consumption of construction sand and gravel in the fourth quarter of 2024 decreased in all of the nine geographic regions compared with that sold or used in the fourth quarter of 2023. Production for consumption decreased in 35 of the 43 states for which production estimates of construction sand and gravel were made.
Shipments of portland and blended cement decreased by 5% in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared with that in the fourth quarter of 2023. Annual consumption decreased by 6% in 2024 compared with that in 2023 this information is obtained from the USGS monthly survey of U.S. cement producers.
The above estimates are based on information reported to the USGS quarterly sample survey of construction aggregates producers in the United States.