The new year has begun in subdued fashion for tractor sales with around 550 units sold in January. This is around 15% below the same month last year and goes against what was a hoped for improvement in sales. Dealers have been reporting that order enquiry has been solid but with extreme weather conditions being felt in various parts of the country it is perhaps no surprise that deliveries were down.
Expectations of a flattening out of sales remain as we try and not place too much emphasis on one month’s numbers.
Looking at the state-by-state picture all states were down for the month except for Queensland which was ahead of last year by 3% and Tasmania which was up by 25%. NSW was 10% behind for the month while Victoria reported a massive drop of 35%. Sales in Western Australia were off 25% against the same month last year. South Australia had another decline, off 16%, with sales in the NT finishing 13% down.
Sales in each of the reporting categories were off this month except for the small under 40 hp (30kw) category which was up 11%. The 40 to 100hp (30-75kw) range was down by 2% and the 100 to 200hp (75-150 kw) category reported a drop of 33%. Finally, the 200 hp (150kw) PLUS range was 42% down compared to the same month last year.
It wasn’t just tractors that did it tough, Sales of Combine Harvesters have begun the year slowly ending 35% behind. With less than 700 Combines sold last year, the industry is certainly hoping for a better year in 2025.
Baler sales were well down in the month and finished 57% behind. Finally, sales of Out – Front Mowers were also down 30% compared to the same month last year.
Planning for the 2025 TMA Conference (to be held in Melbourne on Thursday July 24th at the Hyatt Essendon Fields) , we have released our Sponsorship Prospectus available 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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