Exports of construction equipment from the United States continued to grow in 2011 and ended the first half of the year up 48 percent compared to January to June of 2010. Total construction machinery exports at midyear were $11 billion, according to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers.

Exports of U.S.-made construction machinery to South America grew 51 percent to total $2.1 billion, and exports to Central America totaled $933 million for a 24-percent gain. Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru ranked among the top 10 countries buying equipment during the first half of 2011.

Exports to Asia jumped 54 percent to $1.5 billion, and Europe gained 75 percent to $1.4 billion. Australia/Oceania took delivery of 52-percent more American-made construction machinery for a total $1 billion, and exports to Canada jumped 43 percent to $3.4 billion. U.S. exports to Africa grew 50 percent to $636 million.

The top 10 destinations for U.S.-made construction equipment in the first half were:

• Canada, $3.4 billion, up 43 percent;
• Australia, $1 billion, up 61 percent;
• Mexico, $742 million, up 35 percent;
• Chile, $608 million, up 32 percent;
• China, $480 million, up 98 percent;
• Brazil, $480 million, up 28 percent;
• Colombia, $419 million, up 121 percent;
• South Africa, $325 million, up 88 percent;
• Russia, $319 million, up 195 percent;
• Peru, $290 million, up 72 percent.