WASHINGTON — U.S. exports of agricultural machinery continued to grow in 2011 and ended the first half of the year with a gain of 15 percent, according to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. Midyear 2011 exports totaled $5.6 billion compared to January-June 2010.
Sources
The off-road equipment manufacturing trade group consolidates U.S. Commerce Department data with other sources into member global trend reports.
“Exports continue to provide a substantial boost to manufacturers’ overall business as producers around the world seek enhanced productivity to meet global food needs. Export-friendly policies such as free trade agreements help American manufacturers and farmers stay in business, which translates into more jobs for U.S. workers.
“That’s a major tenet of our I Make America campaign and its spotlight on the importance of manufacturing to U.S. prosperity,” stated Charlie O’Brien, AEM vice president and agriculture sector leader.
South America took delivery of $579 million worth of U.S.-made agricultural equipment, an increase of 56 percent, and Central America increased its purchases 9 percent to total $506 million. Asia’s export purchases gained 13 percent to $483 million, and exports to Australia/Oceania grew 20 percent, representing $452 million worth of farm-related equipment.
Exports to Europe gained 19 percent to $1.6 billion, and exports to Canada increased 4 percent and totaled $1.8 billion. U.S. exports to Africa grew 13 percent for a total $131 million.
The top 10 export destinations for American-made agricultural equipment during the first half of 2011 were: (1) Canada-$1.8 billion, up 4 percent; (2) Australia-$423 million, up 21 percent; (3) Mexico-$395 million, up 1 percent; (4) Germany-$260 million, up 20 percent; (5) Brazil-$242 million, up 82 percent; (6) France-$185 million, up 7 percent; (7) China-$179 million, down 3 percent; (8) Ukraine-$159 million, up 111 percent; (9) United Kingdom-$145 million, down 4 percent; (10) Russia-$124 million, up 13 percent.
