NEW YORK: Exports of civilian aircraft were way up during the first six months of the year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
The country exported $3.6 billion more commercial and general aircraft, or 12.8 percent more, than in the same six months of 2014. However, the export of aircraft parts was down 3.2 percent.
That makes up for a decline in exports of many locally-produced products, especially agricultural products: wheat, down 31.4; soybeans, down 30.6 percent; corn, down 22.2 percent; and meat, down 9.8 percent. Agricultural machinery, such as the combines, planters and hay balers produced at Agco in Hesston, is down 17.6 percent.
Experts have pointed to the higher value for the U.S. dollar compared to other currencies and slowing overseas growth, particularly in China, as hurting many U.S. exports.
