MILWAUKEE, Wis. — Agricultural equip-ment exports dropped 16 percent for the first half of 2015 compared to the first half of 2014, for a total $4 billion shipped to global markets, according to the Assoc. of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM).

"The second quarter of 2015 marked the sixth consecutive quarter that U.S. agricultural equipment exports and imports experienced year-over-year declines," said Benjamin Duyck, AEM director of market intelligence. "This is an interesting difference from the construction equipment exports, which have experienced growth in imports.

"A logical explanation may be that the domestic market demand for construction is still stable, while the U.S. farmer lacks resources or incentive to buy new equipment. Looking at specific equipment categories, the only category for which exports grew were components, while exports of dairy/milking machinery, remained stable."

Duyck said although AEM’s Agritech Business Barometer – a global report from the Agrievolution Alliance that indicates the worldwide climate for agricultural equipment – does not come out until next month, "we can assume that the lower commodity prices are taking a toll on farmers in other countries as well."

"Aside from the low commodity prices, a stronger U.S. dollar is plaguing U.S. manufacturers, making them less competitive," he said. "In September 2015, the Broad Weighted Trade Index for the U.S. dollar, provided to us by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve, had grown 18.2 percent compared to January 2014, and 21.5 percent compared to January 2013."

In June, exports of U.S. agricultural equipment for first quarter 2015 dropped 16.7 percent, compared to the first quarter of 2014, for a total $1.82 billion shipped to global markets.

"All world regions recorded declines except Central America, and Europe experienced the deepest drop," the AEM said in June, citing U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) data it uses in global markets reports for members.

The AEM’s Sept. 23 report said Asia and Central America "were in the plus column, while South America and Europe led the declined," also citing DOC data. In addition, January-June 2015 U.S. agricultural equipment exports to major world regions, compared to January-June 2014, were as follows:

•Canada dropped 18 percent, for a total $1.3 billion

•Europe declined 31 percent, for $832 million

•Central America gained 5 percent, for $554 million

•Asia gained 19 percent, for $502 million

•South America dropped 30 percent, for $368 million

•Australia/Oceania fell 2 percent for $355 million

•Africa decreased 22 percent, for $132 million

The top 10 countries buying the most U.S.-made agricultural machinery during the first half of 2015 (by dollar volume) were:

1. Canada, $1.3 billion, down 18 percent

2. Mexico, $487 million, up 10 percent

3. Australia, $318 million, down 1 percent

4. China, $284 million, up 36 percent

5. Germany, $132 million, down 24 percent

6. Brazil, $126 million, down 45 percent

7. France, $105 million, down 9 percent

8. United Kingdom, $95 million, down less than 1 percent

9. Belgium, $95 million, up 14 percent

10. South Africa, $86 million, down 24 percent