Construction Machinery Exports Increased 30 Percent in 2004

The market for exports of U.S.-made construction machineryclosed out 2004 with a gain of almost 30 percent compared to the previous year,a total of $8.9 billion worth of equipment sold worldwide, according to theAssociation of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM). All world regions showeddouble-digit increases. The AEM international trade group consolidates U.S.Commerce Department data with other sources into a quarterly export trendsreport.
Exports to Australia/Oceania led the way in 2004 with a 63 percentgain in 2004 purchases. The region took delivery of $784.5 million worth ofU.S.-made construction equipment.

Construction machinery exports to SouthAmerica increased almost 60 percent in 2004, with purchases worth $1.1 billion.Asia ranked third in 2004 growth with exports to the region growing almost 35percent to total $1.3 billion.

Exports of construction equipment toCentral America improved 21 percent in 2004 and totaled $801 million.Construction machinery exports to Africa gained 24 percent in 2004, withpurchases worth $355 million.

Europe bought $1.55 billion worth ofU.S.-made construction equipment, a 17 percent gain for 2004, and exportbusiness to Canada topped $3 billion in 2004 for a 23 percent gain.

The10 countries buying the most U.S.-made construction machinery in 2004 were: 1)Canada — $3 billion, up 23 percent; 2) Australia — $747 million, up 65.5percent; 3) Mexico — $626 million, up 27 percent; 4) Belgium — $408 million, up25 percent; 5) Chile — $363 million, up 84 percent; 6) China — $262 million, up63 percent; 7) Brazil — $260 million, up 38 percent; 8) Germany — $225 million,up 25 percent; 9) Singapore — $224 million, up 86 percent; and 10) UnitedKingdom — $174 million, up 18 percent.