Exports of United States-made construction machinery jumped 28 percent in 2010 compared with 2009, according to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. The U.S. exported $16.4 billion worth of equipment to foreign markets. AEM obtains its data from the U.S. Commerce Department and other sources.

“Global trade is extremely important to our industry and export sales continue to sustain many companies as we still face a fragile domestic upturn,” said AEM senior vice president Al Cervero. “While these numbers are positive we have to remember they follow a 2009 decline of more than 38 percent. It’s important to pass the pending free-trade agreements with Colombia, Korea and Panama to help manufacturers create more U.S. jobs by selling their products to international buyers.”

Export business to Europe increased 23 percent to $1.88 billion, while exports to Asia grew 10 percent and totaled $2.2 billion. Exports to South America leapt 31 percent to $3.1 billion; while exports to Central America jumped 24 percent to $1.6 billion.

The largest gain was to Australia/Oceania, to which exports soared 66 percent to $1.6 billion. The only continental decline was to Africa, which decreased 5 percent to $934 million.

The top countries buying U.S.-made construction machinery were: Canada, $5.1 billion, up 39 percent; Australia, $1.5 billion, up 62 percent; Mexico, $1.2 billion, up 25 percent; Chile, $920 million, up 21 percent; Brazil, $758 million, up 48 percent; Colombia, $588 million up 50 percent; China, $499 million, up 2 percent; Peru, $437 million, up 37 percent; Belgium, $399 million, up 11 percent; South Africa, $396 million, up 12 percent; Russia, $333 million, up 60 percent; Singapore, $299 million, up 40 percent; Saudi Arabia, $227 million, down 4 percent; United Arab Emirates, $197 million, up 38 percent; and Germany, $197 million, up 34 percent.