US Construction Machinery Exports Down 17.3% for First Half of 2014

Africa was the only world area with an increase in US construction machinery exports during the first half of 2014 compared to the same time last year

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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 (AEM), citing U.S. Department of Commerce data.

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  

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

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