U.S. Construction Equipment Exports Down 17.3% at Midyear | Construction News

U.S. construction machinery exports dropped 17.3% during the first half of 2014, compared with midyear 2013.

Citing U.S. Department of Commerce data, the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) says U.S. construction machinery manufacturers exported $8.93 billion of products to global markets during the first half of 2014, compared to $10.8 billion for the first-half or 2013.

The AEM off-road equipment manufacturing trade group produces global trends reports using U.S. Commerce Dept. information to assist members’ business planning.

Africa was the only area in the plus column, with a 4.3% increase, to a total of $682.1 million.

Australia /Oceania recorded the steepest decline, at 38.6%, with total purchases of $460.7 million.

Exports of construction machinery to Europe declined 25.4% compared to the first-half of 2013, for a total $1.02 billion, and exports to Canada dropped 4.6%, to total $3.51 billion.

Exports to Asia declined 13.9%, to $1.04 billion; exports to Central America decreased 23.7%, to $949.3 million; and exports to South America declined 33.1%, to $1.28 billion.

The top countries buying the most U.S.-made construction machinery during the first half of 2014:

• Canada - $3.51 billion, down 4.6%;
• Mexico - $770.4 million, down 24.6%;
• Australia - $424.7 million, down 40.6%;
• South Africa - $400.5 million, down 26.7%;
• Brazil - $358.3 million, down 30.1%;
• Chile - $299.8 million, down 37%;
• Peru - $279.4 million, down 15.1%;
• Belgium - $210.4 million, down 36.3%;
• Saudi Arabia - $206.2 million, down 43.1%;
• China - $189.8 million, down 21.8%;
• Russia - $172.1 million, down 36%.