Agricultural equipment exports up

WASHINGTON – U.S. exports of agricultural-related machinery increased 10 percent during the first half of 2006 to total $4.12 billion, with Asia showing the strongest growth, according to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers.
The AEM North American-based international trade group produces a quarterly “global markets” report consolidating U.S. Commerce Department data specific to farm machinery.
By region. Farm equipment exports to Asia increased 42 percent for the first half of 2006 compared to January to June 2005, with purchases totaling $351 million.
South America bought 17 percent more American-made agricultural machinery than the same time period last year, for a total $219 million, and exports to Central America grew 14 percent during January-June 2006 to total $374 million.
Exports to Europe rose 11 percent for a total $1.60 billion worth of farm machinery bought during the first half of 2006 compared to the same time period last year, and Canada took delivery of $1.19 billion worth, a 9-percent increase.
Exports of U.S.-made farm equipment to Africa totaled $93 million for the first half of 2006.
Decline. The only decline in agricultural machinery exports for mid-year 2006 was to Australia/Oceania, which purchased $297 million, a 14-percent drop compared to the same time period last year.
The top 10 export destinations for American-made farm machinery for the first half of 2006 were: Canada, $1.19 billion; Mexico, $298 million; Australia, $269 million; Germany, $246 million;
France, $189 million; United Kingdom, $172 million; Russia, $132 million; Belgium, $125 million; China, $117 million; and Netherlands, $106 million.
In addition to China’s triple-digit increase in purchases of U.S.-made farm equipment (up 107 percent to total $117 million), other countries in the Top 25 buyers list recording triple-digit growth included Ukraine, up 116 percent to total $67 million; Turkey, up 277 percent to total $44 million; and Singapore, up 304 percent to total $37 million.