U.S. agricultural equipment exports dropped 27 percent during the first half of 2014 compared to midyear 2013; $4.77 billion in exports were shipped to global markets compared to $6.53 billion at first-half 2013, according to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM).

The AEM off-road equipment manufacturing trade group produces global trends reports using U.S. Commerce Dept. information to assist members’ business planning.

All world regions experienced declines, from South America with a drop of 8 percent to Asia, with a 35.7-percent decrease in purchases of U.S.-made agricultural machinery.

At midyear 2014, exports of agricultural machinery to Europe declined 26.9 percent compared to first-half 2013, for a total $1.21 billion, and exports to Canada dropped 34.3 percent to total $1.55 billion.

Exports to Asia declined 35.7 percent to $420.7 million for the first half of 2014. Mid-year exports to Central America decreased 12.5 percent to $528 million, and exports to South America declined 8 percent to $528.5 million.

Australia/Oceania’s agricultural equipment export purchases dropped 22 percent for a total $360.9 million, and Africa took delivery of $168.7 million worth of agricultural equipment, a 23.4-percent decrease.

The top countries buying U.S.-made agricultural machinery for the first half of 2014 were: (1) Canada – $1.55 billion, down 34.3 percent; (2) Mexico – $442.6 million, down 15.1 percent; (3) Australia – $321.9 million, down 24.9 percent; (4) Brazil – $230.1 million, down 11.9 percent; (5) China – $208.5 million, down 27.8 percent; (6) Germany – $175 million, down 36.2 percent; (7) Russia – $154.9 million, down 15.6 percent; (8) Ukraine – $144.1 million, down 0.3 percent; (9) France – $116.2 million, down 40.8 percent; (10) South Africa – $113.6 million, down 27.1 percent.