U.S. exports of agricultural-related machinery totaled more than $8.95 billion in 2010, a gain of more than 12 percent compared to the previous year, according to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM).

"There is a growing need in developing countries to provide adequate energy and food supplies to sustain the world population, and agricultural equipment plays a vital role in boosting productivity to meet these needs,” stated Charlie O’Brien, AEM vice president agricultural sector. “This increase in exports is encouraging after 2009 declines of more than 20 percent and reinforce the importance of global trade to U.S. farm equipment manufacturers."

South and Central America recorded the strongest gains. Farm equipment exports to South America grew 59 percent with purchases totaling $970 million, and exports to Central America gained 36 percent and totaled $882 million.

Farm equipment exports to Asia increased 24 percent for a total $800 million while Africa took delivery of $261 million worth of American-made agricultural equipment, an increase of 16 percent. Canada recorded farm equipment export purchases for 2010 of $3.1 billion, a 13-percent increase.

U.S. exports to Europe dropped 5 percent for a total $2.2 billion, and exports to Australia/Oceania declined 7 percent for a total $721 million.

The top countries buying the most U.S.-made farm machinery in 2010 were:

(1) Canada - $3.1 billion, up 13 percent; (2) Mexico - $720 million, up 35 percent; (3) Australia - $658 million, down 10 percent; (4) Germany - $356 million, up 2 percent; (5) Brazil - $338 million, up 85 percent; (6) China - $291 million, up 35 percent; (7) France - $273 million, down 20 percent; (8) United Kingdom - $255 million, up 2 percent; (9) Netherlands - $199 million, up 44 percent; (10) Argentina - $168  million, up 104 percent; (11) Belgium - $153 million, down 23 percent; (12) Russia - $151 million, up 20 percent; (13) Venezuela - $151 million, up 62 percent; (14) South Africa - $133 million, down 1 percent; (15) Ukraine - $116 million, up 26 percent.