U.S. Construction Machinery Exports Down 21% at Midyear 2013

U.S. construction machinery exports dropped 21 percent during the first half of 2013, with $10.8 billion shipped to global markets compared to $13.7 billion at midyear 2012, according to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. The AEM off-road equipment manufacturing trade group consolidates U.S. Commerce Department data with other sources into global trend reports for members.

Nearly all world regions recorded double-digit declines, except Central America with a double-digit gain.

Construction equipment exports for the first half of 2013, compared with midyear 2012:

• Exports to Europe declined 20 percent for a total $1.4 billion, and dropped 15 percent to Canada for a total $3.7 billion.
• Exports to Asia decreased 24 percent to $1.2 billion.
• Exports to Central America gained 15 percent to $1.2 billion, with exports to South America dropping 13 percent to $1.9 billion.  
• Australia/Oceania's export purchases decreased 62 percent to $750 million, while Africa took delivery of $654 million worth of construction equipment, a 20-percent drop.

The top countries buying the most U.S.-made construction machinery during the first half of 2013 were: 1) Canada – $3.7 billion, down 15 percent; 2) Mexico – $1 billion, up 18 percent; 3) Australia – $715 million, down 63 percent; 4) Brazil – $513 million, up 17 percent; 5) Chile – $475 million, down 38 percent; 6) Colombia – $333 million, up 13 percent; 7) Belgium – $330 million, down 18 percent; 8) Peru – $329 million, down 9 percent; 9) South Africa- $316 million, down 36 percent; 10) Russia – $269 million, down 34 percent and 11) China – $243 million, down 38 percent.