AEM voices concern over lower machine exports

 The 1100 Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) says that US construction machinery exports dropped 17.3% during the first half of 2014 compared with the same period for 2013. In all some US$8.93 billion in exports were shipped to global markets compared to $10.8 billion for first-half of 2013, according to US Department of Commerce data. The AEM off-road equipment manufacturing trade group produces global trends reports using US Commerce Dept. information to assist members’ business planning.

Africa was the only world area in the plus column, with a 4.3% increase. Australia /Oceania recorded the steepest decline, at 38.6% , followed by South America with a 33.1% drop. At midyear 2014, exports of construction machinery to Europe declined 25.4% compared to first-half 2013, for a total $1.02 billion, and exports to Canada dropped 4.6% to total $3.51 billion.

Exports to Asia declined 13.9% to $1.04 billion for the first half of 2014. Mid-year exports to Central America decreased 23.7% to $949.3 million, and exports to South America declined 33.1% to $1.28 billion. Australia/Oceania’s construction equipment export purchases decreased 38.6% for a total $460.7 million, while Africa took delivery of $682.1 million worth of construction equipment, a gain of 4.3%.

The top countries buying the most US-made construction machinery during the first half of 2014 were: (1) Canada - $3.51 billion, down 4.6%; (2) Mexico - $770.4 million, down 24.6%; (3) Australia - $424.7 million, down 40.6%; (4) South Africa - $400.5 million, down 26.7%; (5) Brazil - $358.3 million, down 30.1%; (6) Chile - $299.8 million, down 37%; (7) Peru - $279.4 million, down 15.1%; (8) Belgium - $210.4 million, down 36.3%; (9) Saudi Arabia - $206.2 million, down 43.1%; (10) China - $189.8 million, down 21.8%; (11) Russia - $172.1 million, down 36%.