U.S. Construction Machinery Exports Up 28% in 2010

Export business to Europe gained 23% for a total $1.88 billion, and exports to Asia grew 10% and totaled $2.2 billion, according to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM). Construction machinery exports to South America increased 31% in 2010 for a total $3.1 billion; and exports to Central America came in at $1.6 billion, a 24% increase.

The largest gain was to Australia/Oceania with a 66% increase for a total $1.6 billion. The only decline was to Africa with a 5% drop for $934 million worth of purchases. Construction machinery exports to Canada gained 39% and totaled $5.1 billion.

The total market for exports of U.S.-made construction machinery closed out 2010 with a gain of more than 28% compared to the previous year, for a total of $16.4 billion.

"Global trade is extremely important to our industry and export sales continue to sustain many companies as we still face a fragile domestic upturn," stated AEM Senior Vice President Al Cervero. "While these numbers are positive we have to remember they follow a 2009 decline of more than 38%.

Cervero added that it's "important to pass the pending free-trade agreements with Colombia, Korea and Panama to help manufacturers create more U.S. jobs by selling their products to international buyers."

The top countries buying the most U.S.-made construction machinery in 2010 were:

Canada - $5.1 billion, up 39%
Australia - $1.5 billion, up 62%
Mexico - $1.2 billion, up 25%
Chile - $920 million, up 21%
Brazil - $758 million, up 48%
Colombia - $588 million, up 50%
China - $499 million, up 2%
Peru - $437 million, up 37%
Belgium - $399 million, up 11%
South Africa - $396 million, up 12%
Russia - $333 million, up 60%
Singapore - $299 million, up 40%
Saudi Arabia - $227 million, down 4%
Arab Emirates - $197 million, up 38%
Germany - $197 million, up 34%