Exports of construction equipment from the United States continued strong through the second quarter to total more than $6 billion for the first six months of 2005, the Association of Equipment Manufacturers reported last week.

Exports during the second quarter increased 12 percent compared to the first quarter, and the mid-year total dollar volume was up 44 percent from 2004 mid-year export totals.

Construction machinery exports to South America increased 64 percent for the first half of 2005, representing $809 million worth of purchases. Exports to Asia jumped 59 percent to $854 million, while exports to Central America increased 14.5 percent year over year to $443 million.

Exports to Europe increased 48 percent to $1.1 billion, and exports to Canada jumped 41 percent to $2.1 billion. A 48 percent jump in shipments to Australia brought the total to $589 million, while exports to Africa increased 5 percent to $192 million.

The top 10 export destinations, country by country, were Canada, Australia, Belgium ($401 million, up 129 percent; Mexico ($341 million, up 14 percent; Brazil ($303 million, up 135 percent); Singapore ($273 million, up 275 percent; Chile ($261 million, up 69 percent); Japan ($139 million, up 107 percent); United Kingdom, $114 million, up 33 percent; Germany ($112 million, down 7 percent.)