Less than 1000 new tractors sold in November: Report

Less than 1000 new tractors were sold during November, a 20% decrease on the same period last year, as dealers continue to report depressed demand across the country.

The disappointing month, topped off a difficult year in agricultural tractor sales, with just on 10,000 delivered year-to-date, which is 24% below the same time last year.

This should put full year sales at or below 11,000 tractors which will be the lowest level since 2019.

The findings were released in the latest Tractor and Machinery Association (TMA) update, released on Monday.

The report showed that sales in all states were down except for Western Australia, which saw a rise of 14% against the same month last year but remains 11% behind year to date.

"Queensland was behind by 13% against the same month last year to be 21% behind year to date, NSW was down 22% and remains 31% behind for the year while Victoria reported a drop of 12% to be down 20% compared with the same time last year," it read.

"South Australia had another big decline, off a whopping 64%, now down 35% YTD, Tasmania was off 72% for the month with sales in the NT finishing 80% up."

It also showed that the small under 40 hp (30kw) category was down by 2% to be 20% behind year-to-date.

"The 40 to 100hp (30-75kw) range was down, this time by 14% and is now behind 33% year to date and the 100 to 200hp (75-150 kw) category reported a drop of 26% for the month and remains 23% down YTD," it read.

"Finally, the 200 hp (150kw) plus range was 40% down compared to the same month last year and is now 15% behind year to date."

The report concluded that sales of combine harvesters were not keeping up with last year and currently sat 27% behind on a year-to-date basis.

Baler sales were steady in the month and were just on 8% behind year to date and the sales of out–front mowers were up 12% in the month in time for mowing season.

The TMA Quarterly Business Sentiment survey, delivered by Kynetec with over 120 dealers from across the nation responding, was also released recently, finding further reductions in satisfaction with turnover as well as a reduction in Inventory levels.

The survey also found a slight increase in expectation of new tractor sales, expectations for combine sales remain unchanged and expectations for balers and hay tool sales decreasing.