Average U.S. price of construction sand and gravel 2010-2023

In the United States, the average price of construction sand and gravel was about 12.20 U.S. dollars per metric ton in 2023. Regional sand and gravel shortages have been known to occur in highly populated areas, which in turn can lead to increased prices in large urban areas.

The United States as the leading sand and gravel producer

The United States was ranked as the largest producer of industrial sand and gravel in the world in 2023, with production amounting to 130 million metric tons. That same year, the U.S. produced an estimated 920 million metric tons of sand and gravel for construction.

Sand and gravel demand

Demand for construction sand and gravel has increased in recent years due to growth in both the private and public construction industries. Many factors can impact the production and demand for sand and gravel, including infrastructure funding, housing starts, and weather. Similarly, industrial sand and gravel consumption has also increased in tandem with the oil and gas sector. Growth in oil and gas drilling has also led to an increase in hydraulic fracturing (fracking) sand consumption. Some new efficient fracking techniques also require the use of more sand.