Worldwide industrial sand and gravel production 2022, by country
Sand and Gravel
Sand and gravel deposits originate from various geomorphological processes, which include river channels, river flood plains, and glacial deposits. It is considered one of the most accessible natural resources. Sand comes in different sizes of grain and serves different purposes. It is a necessary resource for economic development activities such as road building and concrete production. Sand and/or gravel is also commonly used in playgrounds, golf courses, and producing glass.
Sand and Gravel for construction in the United States
Although the United States is the leading producer of sand and gravel worldwide, the country still imports a certain amount for construction purposes. Since 2010, the United States’ gravel and sand imports have fluctuated somewhat, ranging from three to seven million metric tons of sand and gravel imported per year. From 2018 to 2021, the majority of U.S. sand and gravel imports came from Canada. Since 2010, the average price of sand and gravel has been slowly increasing, most recently standing at 11 U.S. dollars per metric ton.