Midyear 2014 U.S. Construction Machinery Exports Decline 17.3%

U.S. construction machinery exports dropped 17.3 percent during the first half of 2014 compared with midyear 2013: $8.93 billion in exports were shipped to global markets compared to $10.8 billion for first-half 2013, according to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers, citing U.S. Department of Commerce data.

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 world area in the plus column, with a 4.3 percent increase. Australia/Oceania recorded the steepest decline, at 38.6 percent, followed by South America with a 33.1-percent drop.

At midyear 2014, exports of construction machinery to Europe declined 25.4 percent compared to first-half 2013, for a total $1.02 billion, and exports to Canada dropped 4.6 percent to total $3.51 billion.

Exports to Asia declined 13.9 percent to $1.04 billion for the first half of 2014. Mid-year exports to Central America decreased 23.7 percent to $949.3 million, and exports to South America declined 33.1 percent to $1.28 billion.

Australia/Oceania's construction equipment export purchases decreased 38.6 percent for a total $460.7 million, while Africa took delivery of $682.1 million worth of construction equipment, a gain of 4.3 percent.

The top countries buying the most U.S.-made construction machinery during the first half of 2014 were: (1) Canada – $3.51 billion, down 4.6 percent; (2) Mexico – $770.4 million, down 24.6 percent; (3) Australia – $424.7 million, down 40.6 percent; (4) South Africa – $400.5 million, down 26.7 percent; (5) Brazil – $358.3 million, down 30.1 percent; (6) Chile – $299.8 million, down 37 percent; (7) Peru – $279.4 million, down 15.1 percent; (8) Belgium – $210.4 million, down 36.3 percent; (9) Saudi Arabia – $206.2 million, down 43.1 percent; (10) China – $189.8 million, down 21.8 percent; (11) Russia – $172.1 million, down 36 percent.