Analysis of China's excavator export market in 2025: Who will be the largest buyer?

   According to the latest statistics from the General Administration of Customs, from January to June 2025, China's excavator exports continued to maintain a strong momentum, with crawler and tire-mounted equipment showing significant increases in both quantity and value, and exports covering more than 200 countries and regions around the world.
1、Crawler excavators: the "main force" of stable growth。
  In the first half of the year, China exported 135,200 crawler excavators, generating US$4.7 billion in foreign exchange, representing year-on-year increases of 28.1% and 22.9%, respectively. Monthly exports reached 27,600 units in June, a six-month high, demonstrating the resilience of global infrastructure demand.
  Ranking by volume: The United States ranked first with 23,300 units imported, far ahead of second-place Indonesia (8,965 units) and third-place Belgium (7,250 units). Germany, Vietnam, Canada, Italy, and Poland also ranked in the second tier, each importing over 4,000 units.
  Differences in Value Ranking: Indonesia ranked first with $467 million in exports. Although the volume was smaller than that of the United States, the average price per unit was as high as $52,100, primarily for large mining and construction machinery. Countries like Russia ($339 million) and Guinea (over $100 million) also drove sales, driven by high-value-added models. In contrast, despite the large volume purchased by the United States, the average price was only approximately $6,400, primarily for small and medium-sized equipment, primarily used in municipal maintenance and agriculture.
2、Wheel excavators: small and fast new growth pole
  In the first half of the year, 4,027 wheel excavators were exported, valued at US$190 million, representing year-on-year increases of 63.3% and 21.2%, respectively. The Philippines, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam ranked in the top three, with each country importing around 400 units. Russia and Kyrgyzstan each exported over 300 units, while Kazakhstan, Norway, and Pakistan also exported over 100 units.
  Amount highlights: Exports from Russia, Uzbekistan, the Philippines and other countries exceeded 10 million US dollars, indicating these countries' continued investment in municipal engineering, road maintenance and other fields.
  Regional characteristics: Central Asian countries generally prefer high-configuration models, while Southeast Asian countries prefer flexible and maneuverable small equipment to adapt to urbanization.
3、Market structure and trends
  Overall, countries along the Belt and Road Initiative remain the primary market for Chinese excavator exports, with continued strong demand in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. In mature markets (such as North America and Europe), demand is stable but price volatility is limited, with a preponderance of small, general-purpose models. In emerging markets (such as Southeast Asia, Africa, and Central Asia), a growing share of high-end equipment is being purchased, particularly in the mining, energy, and large-scale infrastructure sectors, driving rapid export growth.
  Conclusion: In the first half of 2025, China's excavator exports will not only continue to grow in volume but also show a polarized product mix: mature markets will focus on small and medium-sized equipment, while emerging markets will pursue large, high-value-added models. As global infrastructure investment continues to heat up, emerging markets are expected to become the core driver of export growth in the coming years.
（This article is reprinted from Engineering Machinery Trade Network and Sina Finance Report)