March 7, 2006 — U.S. construction equipment exports for 2005 increased 35 percent over the previous year as $12 billion worth of American-made machinery was shipped to countries across the globe, according to data released by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM). Posting a 51 percent increase from the previous year, South America recorded the strongest gain as the region took delivery of $1.6 billion worth of U.S. construction equipment. Central America, on the other hand, experienced the least growth (15 percent) with purchases of $925 million.
“In 2005, most of the equipment exported to Latin America was used primarily for general construction, transportation, and mining projects,” said AEM Assistant Director of International Marketing Arnold Huerta. “This trend is expected to continue as the region is forecast to grow in 2006 and nations inject more money into their infrastructure sectors.”
Construction equipment exports to Asia in 2005 rose 33 percent to total $1.7 billion. Exports to Europe and Canada each increased 35 percent, with Europe's purchases totaling $2.1 billion; and Canada, $4.1 billion. Exports to Australia/Oceania increased $1.1 billion, a 39 percent gain, and exports to Africa grew 31 percent, totaling $459 million.
The top 10 country purchasers of U.S. construction equipment in 2005 were: (1) Canada - $4.1 billion, up 35 percent; (2) Australia - $1 billion, up 40 percent; (3) Mexico - $694 million • up 11 percent; (4) Belgium - $654 million, up 60 percent; (5) Brazil - $555 million, up 113 percent; (6) Chile - $514 million, up 46 percent; (7) Singapore - $507 million, up 126 percent; (8) China - $237 million, down 10 percent; (9) Japan - $236 million, up 59 percent; (10) South Africa - $222 million, up 44 percent.
The AEM international trade group consolidates U.S. Commerce Department data with other sources into a quarterly trends report, on which this information is based.
