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

Nearly all world regions recorded double-digit declines except Central America

U.S. construction machinery exports dropped 21% 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 (AEM). 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. For construction equipment exports for the first half of 2013, compared with midyear 2012:

  • Exports to Europe declined 20% for a total $1.4 billion, and dropped 15% to Canada for a total $3.7 billion.
  • Exports to Asia decreased 24% to $1.2 billion.
  • Exports to Central America gained 15% to $1.2 billion, with exports to South America dropping 13% to $1.9 billion. 
  • Australia/Oceania’s export purchases decreased 62% to $750 million, while Africa took delivery of $654 million worth of construction equipment, a 20% 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%; (2) Mexico - $1 billion, up 18%; (3) Australia - $715 million, down 63%t; (4) Brazil - $513 million, up 17%; (5) Chile - $475 million, down 38%; (6) Colombia - $333 million, up 13%; (7) Belgium - $330 million, down 18%; (8) Peru - $329 million, down 9%t; (9) South Africa- $316 million, down 36%; (10) Russia - $269 million, down 34%; (11) China - $243 million, down 38%.  

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