Exports of U.S.-made construction equipment grew 24 percent and totaled $13.7 billion for the first half of 2012 compared to January-June 2011, according to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. The off-road equipment manufacturing trade group consolidates U.S. Commerce Dept. data with other sources into global trend reports.
South America took delivery of $2.2 billion worth of U.S.-made construction equipment during the first half of 2012 compared to midyear 2011 for a 6-percent gain. Central America increased its purchases 16 percent to $1.1 billion. Export volume to Asia grew 4 percent to $1.6 billion, while exports to Europe jumped 26 percent to $1.7 billion.
Exports to Africa surged 28 percent and totaled $813 million; exports to Australia/Oceania jumped 89 percent to $2 billion and Canada took delivery of $4.3 billion worth of equipment, a 26-percent hike.
The top 10 countries buying U.S.-made equipment at midyear 2012 were:
· Canada, $4.3 billion, up 26 percent;
· Australia, $1.9 billion, up 91 percent;
· Mexico, $870 million, up 17 percent;
· Chile, $762 million, up 25 percent;
· South Africa, $496 million, up 52 percent;
· Brazil, $440 million, down 8 percent;
· Russia, $405 million, up 27 percent;
· Belgium, $402 million, up 55 percent;
· China, $390 million, down 19 percent;
· Peru, $363 million, up 25 percent.
