Construction machinery exports post sharp drop in first quarter

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers, citing U.S. Department of Commerce data, has reported that the total export of U.S. construction machinery for the first quarter of 2014 totaled $4.292 billion, compared to $5.287 billion during the first quarter of 2013 – a drop of 18.8 percent.

The AEM off-road equipment manufacturing trade group produces global trends reports using Commerce Department information.

Nearly all world regions recorded high single-digit or double-digit declines except Africa, which experienced a double-digit growth in imports of U.S. machines. Saudi Arabia also increased its purchases by more than 30 percent.

The countries buying the most U.S.-made construction machinery during the first quarter of 2014 were:

1. Canada, $1.577 billion, down 8.5 percent from 2013;
2. Mexico, $369.9 million, down 27.2 percent
3. South Africa, $241.5 million, up 103.8 percent
4. Australia, $217.1 million, down 42.4 percent
5. Chile, $197.1 million, down 19.1 percent
6. Brazil, $159.9 million, down 48.1 percent
7. Peru, $147.1 million, down 24.2 percent
8. Saudi Arabia, $113 million, up 32.2 percent
9. China, $107.2 million, down 11.3 percent; and
10. Belgium, $98.1 million, down 45.5 percent.