December has seen a continuation of the trend with generally lower sales figures occurring across the entire market. With just over 1,000 tractors sold, which is 9% below the same month last year, 2024 has ended with just on 11,000 tractors sold, 23% below the previous year. In financial terms, the picture is not quite so grim as turnover was 15% down, a result of a modest drop in the 200 HP category compared to the smaller ranges. The size of the tractor market has fluctuated wildly over the past few years although, interestingly, the long-term average for the period 1989 to 2023 is just on 11,000 units. What is changing is the variety of product being sold with nearly 700 make/ model combinations now being reported.
Looking at the state-by-state picture all states were down for the month, Queensland was behind by 7% against the same month last year to be 20% for the full year. NSW was down 7% and finished 29% behind for the year while Victoria reported a drop of 5% to be down 19% compared with the same time last year. Western Australia was off 12% against the same month last year to end the year 11% behind. South Australia had another decline, off 11%, to be down 33% YTD, Tasmania was off 36% for the month with sales in the NT finishing 44% down.
Sales in each of the reporting categories were off this month except for the small under 40 hp (30kw) category which was up 14% to finish 18% behind for the year. The 40 to 100hp (30-75kw) range was down, this time by 15% and ended the year behind 32% and the 100 to 200hp (75-150 kw) category reported a drop of 14% which led to a decline of 22% compared to last year. Finally, the 200 hp (150kw) PLUS range was 14% down compared to the same month last year and ended the year behind by this amount.
It wasn’t just tractors that did it tough, Sales of Combine Harvesters ended the year in very poor shape ending the year 35% behind. With less than 700 Combines sold for the year, 2024 ended a run of three (3) consecutive years of 1,000 units sold.
Baler sales were well down in the month and finished the year 11% behind. Finally, sales of Out – Front Mowers were up again and finished the year 22% of 2024.
Planning for the 2025 TMA Conference (to be held in Melbourne on Thursday July 24th at the Hyatt Essendon Fields) , we expect to have our Sponsorship Prospectus available this month giving interested companies a great chance to get involved Keep an eye out on our website www.tma.asn.au for further details.
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