Exports of U.S.-made construction equipment declined by 19 percent in 2015 compared to the previous year, with $13.9 billion worth of equipment exported. Shipments to all of the world’s regions declines, especially Africa and South America, according to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers, citing U.S. Department of Commerce data.
AEM, based in Milwaukee, represents the off-road equipment manufacturing industry.
“As 2015 came to an end, we can take stock of the yearly export trends,” said AEM’s director of market intelligence Benjamin Duyck in a statement. “In the fourth quarter of 2015, construction machinery exports continued to experience year-over-year declines for the 12th consecutive month. The year-end also marked the third consecutive yearly decline. These declines do need to be placed in the proper context as exports boomed after the Great Recession and strongly supported the U.S. construction equipment industry. Additionally, there are regional differences affecting exports.
“The deteriorating export position does not come as a surprise as the U.S. faces strong external headwinds. Global economic markets such as China and Brazil are experiencing deep-rooted structural problems and a strong U.S. dollar is making U.S. exports more expensive for international buyers. The lower commodity prices (metals and energy) are causing shifts in some market segments and equipment demand, domestically and internationally.”
The top countries buying the most U.S.-made construction machine during 2015 by dollar volume are:
- Canada -- $5.5 billion, down 18 percent;
- Mexico -- $1.2 billion, down 24 percent;
- Australia -- $829 million, up 2.5 percent;
- Chile -- $492 million, down 20 percent;
- Brazil -- $403 million, down 44 percent;
- South Africa -- $344 million, down 49 percent;
- Belgium -- $334 million, down 28 percent;
- Peru -- $330 million, down 28 percent;
- United Arab Emirates, $272 million, up 73 percent;
- China -- $267 million, down 27.5 percent
Looking at it regionally, after Canada, Asia topped the field with $1.8 billion (down 10 percent); Europe at $1.7 billion (down 12 percent); South America $1.7 billion (down 33 percent); Central America $1.5 percent (down 23 percent); Australia/Oceania $882 million (down 1 percent), and Africa $777 million, down 37 percent.
