U.S. construction machinery exports gain 20 percent in 2008

U.S. construction equipment exports totaled more than $20.7 billion for 2008, a 20-percent gain over 2007, according to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. South America and Asia were among the leading importers of American-made construction machinery.

Export sales to South America grew 44 percent in 2008 for a total of $3.3 billion dollars compared to 2007. Asia took delivery of $3 billion dollars worth of equipment, an increase of 25 percent, and exports to Central America grew 19 percent in 2008, for a total of $2 billion dollars.

Export business to Europe gained 11 percent with purchases of $3 billion dollars in 2008, and construction machinery exports to Canada increased 13 percent for a total of $6.2 billion dollars.

Africa recorded purchases of $1.4 billion dollars worth of American construction equipment, an increase of 29 percent. Exports to Australia/Oceania also grew 14 percent, accounting for $1.8 billion dollars.

AEM consolidates United States Commerce Department data for off-road equipment with other sources into quarterly export trend reports.