U.S. construction equipment exports in 2005 continued to grow through the second quarter of the year to reach more than $6 billion for January to June 2005, according to data released by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM). Exports during the second quarter of 2005 increased 12% over first-quarter exports, and the mid-year total dollar volume rose 44% compared to 2004 mid-year export totals. The AEM North American-based international trade group consolidates U.S. Commerce Department data with other sources into a quarterly export trends report.
Construction machinery exports to South America increased 64% for the first half of 2005, representing $809 million worth of purchases. Exports to Asia grew 59% and totaled $854 million. Central America took delivery of $443 million worth of U.S.-made construction equipment, a 14.5% gain.
Europe increased its purchases of American construction machinery 48% spending $1.1 billion. Exports of construction equipment bound for Australia/Oceania during the first half of 2005 totaled $589 million, a gain of 48%. Construction machinery exports to Africa rose 5% to reach $192 million.
The top ten export destinations for American-made construction equipment for the first half of 2005 were (1) Canada - $2.1 billion, up 41%; (2) Australia - $566 million, up 51%; (3) Belgium - $401 million, up 129%; (4) Mexico - $341 million, up 14%; (5) Brazil - $303 million, up 135%; (6) Singapore - $273 million, up 275%; (7) Chile - $261 million, up 69%; (8) Japan - $139 million, up 107%; United Kingdom - $114 million, up 33%; (10) Germany - $112 million, down 7%.
