USGS: Aggregate production dips further in third quarter

U.S. aggregate production dropped 7 percent in the third quarter versus the prior-year period, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

The agency says aggregate production totaled 671 million metric tons in the third quarter, basing its estimate on information aggregate producers shared on its quarterly sample survey.

Aggregate production is down in each of first three quarters of this year, and it’s been down across eight of the last nine quarters.

Additionally, USGS says aggregate production through the first nine months of this year is down 6 percent to 1.79 billion metric tons.

According to USGS, the top five aggregate-producing states in the third quarter were Texas, California, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Florida. Their combined total production was 201 million metric tons, a decrease of 6 percent compared with the prior-year period.

Crushed stone

Of the 671 million metric tons of aggregates produced nationwide in the third quarter, 410 million were crushed stone.

The third-quarter total for crushed stone is down 6 percent compared to the prior-year period. Crushed stone production is down 5 percent on the year, totaling 1.11 billion metric tons through the year’s first nine months.

The top crushed stone-producing states in the third quarter were Texas, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Missouri and Florida. Their combined production in the quarter was 143 million metric tons.

Sand and gravel

Sand and gravel production nationwide was also down in the third quarter, totaling 261 million metric tons. That total is down 8 percent versus the third quarter of 2023.

Sand and gravel production is down 6 percent through nine months of the year. USGS says 2024 production is at 684 million metric tons.

California was the top sand and gravel-producing state in the third quarter, followed by Texas, Minnesota, Michigan and Arizona. The combined production of the five states was 96 million metric tons, a decrease of 10 percent versus the prior-year period.