Tractor sales have exceeded 18,000 units for the year following another stellar month in December with sales across the nation up 2% on the same month last year. This has resulted in a full year rise of 25% above last year.
Sales have been strong in all states fuelled by the excellent harvest season underway supported by the Government’s various company tax incentive programs.
Beginning in NSW sales were up 4% for the month and are now 39% ahead for the year. Queensland was again strong up 3% and finished up 23% full year whilst Victoria was down 2% in December but was up 14% up for the year.
Sales in Western Australia recorded a drop of 1% for the month following a frantic harvest season, to be 33% ahead for the year. South Australia had a 5% lift for the month and was up 16% full year, Tasmania bounced again and finished 22% up for the year whilst sales into the Northern Territory enjoyed a strong year to be 21% up.
All performance reporting categories have enjoyed strong rises for the year, beginning with the under 40 hp (30kw) range which was up 13% despite an 8% drop in December due to ongoing supply challenges.
The 40 to 100hp (30-75kw) range was again up strongly 16% in the month, up 27% for the year, the 100 to 200hp (75-150 kw) category was up 3% to finish 23% ahead. The large 200 hp (150kw) PLUS range came back to earth with a 17% drop in December but still finished 56% ahead of last year in support of harvest operations across the nation.
Combine Harvester sales finished the year strongly and have now passed the 1,000 units mark for the first time since 2011.
Baler sales enjoyed a significant bump in December and finished just shy of 1,000 units, down on last year by around 24% and sales of Out – Front Mowers finished in line with last year.
Much has been written about the challenges surrounding supply, not just relating to Agricultural machines. Industry forecasts for 2022 indicate another solid year ahead supported by very healthy commodities markets.
The TMA has been engaged in a wide range of important issues throughout 2021 with the most recent of these being the situation regarding supply of AdBlue. Whilst the industry is making headway on replacing supply shortages, the matter of machine integrity has been brought into sharp focus with some in the industry questioning the viability of disengaging the emissions management systems on diesel tractors. Our members have been very strong on this topic, fully supporting a farmers Right to Repair machines but not supporting the Right to Modify. This example goes to the heart of the TMA position and you can read more about this on our newly revamped website!
Finally, we are pleased to advise that the 2022 TMA Conference has been scheduled for Wednesday July 20th to be held at the Hyatt Essendon Fields in Melbourne. More details to follow but for now “SAVE THE DATE”