![]() |
This table presents detailed data on the sales of peat by U.S. producers in 2023, categorized by peat type—sphagnum moss, hypnum moss, and reed-sedge—and by various end uses such as soil improvement, potting soil ingredients, nurseries, and golf courses. This information is crucial for understanding the economic and industrial significance of peat, a natural organic material widely used in horticulture, agriculture, and environmental applications. Tracking sales by type and use helps stakeholders monitor market trends, assess resource demand, and guide sustainable production practices within the peat industry.
In 2023, total peat sales reached approximately 498,000 metric tons with a volume of 940,000 cubic meters, valued at about $11.5 million. Sphagnum moss dominated the market with 58,500 metric tons sold, primarily used for general soil improvement, which accounted for 353,000 cubic meters. Notably, the ingredient for potting soils was the second-largest use category, with 158,000 metric tons sold across all peat types and a total value of $4.07 million. Reed-sedge peat showed significant volume usage in general soil improvement (477,000 cubic meters) and potting soil ingredients (306,000 cubic meters), underscoring its importance despite lower weight figures. Some data were withheld to protect proprietary information, but overall, the trends indicate sustained demand for peat in horticultural and soil enhancement applications, reflecting its continued role in supporting agricultural productivity and landscaping industries.
| TABLE 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.S. PEAT SALES BY PRODUCERS IN 2023 BY TYPE AND USE1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sphagnum moss2 | Hypnum moss3 | Reed-sedge | Total4 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Quantity | Quantity | Quantity | Quantity | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | Volume | Weight | Volume | Weight | Volume | Weight | Volume | |||||||||||||||||
| (metric | (cubic | Value | (metric | (cubic | Value | (metric | (cubic | Value | (metric | (cubic | Value | |||||||||||||
| Use | tons) | meters) | (thousands) | tons) | meters) | (thousands) | tons) | meters) | (thousands) | tons) | meters) | (thousands) | ||||||||||||
| Earthworm culture medium | W | W | W | W | W | W | 20 | 31 | 2 | 2140 | 2810 | 131 | ||||||||||||
| General soil improvement | W | W | W | W | W | W | W | 353000 | W | 273000 | 477000 | 2770 | ||||||||||||
| Golf courses | W | W | W | -- | -- | -- | W | W | W | 19200 | 48100 | 1730 | ||||||||||||
| Ingredient for potting soils | W | W | W | W | W | W | 145000 | 228000 | 3060 | 158000 | 308000 | 4070 | ||||||||||||
| Nurseries | W | W | W | W | W | W | 683 | W | 59 | 925 | 2630 | 69 | ||||||||||||
| Other5 | W | W | W | W | W | W | W | W | W | 45100 | 101000 | 2700 | ||||||||||||
| Total | 58500 | 226000 | 3010 | 5400 | 7030 | 284 | 434000 | 707000 | 8170 | 498000 | 940000 | 11500 | ||||||||||||
W Withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data; included in “Total.ˮ -- Zero.
1Table includes data available through December 23, 2024. Data are rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.
2Includes humus.
3Includes other peat, which were a mixture of humus, hypnum moss, reed-sedge, and sphagnum moss.
4Includes mixed fertilizers; packing flowers, plants, shrubs, etc.; seed inoculant; and vegetable growing.
5Nearly all measured after compaction and packaging.
Source: United States Geological Survey Mineral Resources Program
See also: Peat statistics | Mineral commodity prices