Exports of U.S. agricultural equipment dropped 6% in 2013 compared to the previous year for a total $12 billion shipped to global markets, according to the Assn. of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), citing U.S. Commerce Department data it uses in trend reports for members. Results were mixed by world region.
AEM said the 6% decrease for 2013 follows 3 years of export growth (16% in 2012, 23% in 2011 and 12% in 2010), after a 2009 decline of 23% in the depths of the recession.

For 2013, U.S. agricultural equipment exports compared with 2012:

  • Exports to South America declined 18% to $1.2 billion; exports to Central America remained steady with a gain of 1% to $1.2 billion
  • Exports to Europe dropped 14% to $2.8 billion; exports to Australia/Oceania decreased 26% to $912 million
  • Exports to Asia increased 5% for a total $1.2 billion
  • Exports to Canada increased 6% for a total $4.3 billion; exports to Africa remained steady with a loss of less than 0.5% to $442 million

The top export destinations for American-made agricultural machinery in 2013 by dollar volume:

1. Canada —  $4.3 billion, up 6%

2. Mexico — $988 million, up 3%;

3. Australia — $822 million, down 28%

4. Brazil — $517 million, down 29%

5. China — $491 million, down 5%

6. Germany — $470 million, down 5%

7. France — $344 million, down 7%

8. South Africa — $303 million, down 4%

9. Russia — $303 million, down 9%

10. Ukraine — $269 million, down 30%.                 

About the Assn. of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) — www.aem.org
AEM is the North American-based international trade group providing innovative business development resources to advance the off-road equipment manufacturing industry in the global marketplace. AEM membership comprises more than 900 companies and more than 200 product lines in the agriculture, construction, forestry, mining and utility sectors worldwide. AEM is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis., with offices in the world capitals of Washington, D.C.: Ottawa, Canada; and Beijing, China.