Page 897

200 
1970 
  897Peat 
By Eugene T. Sheridan 1 
 Peat production in the United States decreased 5% in 1972, ' principally
because a smaller number of plants were operating than in 1971. Production
declined in 14 States, and active plants decreased by 17. The largest production
losses were recorded in Florida, Indiana, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania. 
 Commercial sales, which were 5% greater than production because about 30,000
tons of peat was sold from stockpiles, were 1% greater than in 1971. The
total value of sales also increased slightly 
I,000 
800 
600 
400 
because of the larger quantity sold and because of an increase of $0.03 per
ton in the average value of all peat sold. 
 Imports increased 5%, and the quantity of -peat imported in 1972 was about
onehalf the quantity produced domestically. Ninety-six percent of the peat
imported was shipped front Canada. 
 World production was estimated at 89 million short tons. The U.S.S.R. was
the largest producer with an output estimated at 80 million tons, 89% of
the world total. 
1 Mineral specialist, Division of Fossil Fuels 
       I I I.~J   I  I  I  I 
 1955 1960 1965 
1975 955—1972 
AVERAGE 
Figure l.—Production, imports, and available supply of peat in the
United States.