Activity in the tractor sales market was significantly down in the month of April with less than 800 tractors sold across the nation. This was 13% down on the same month last year and puts the year-to-date figure at around 9% behind the same time last year.
There were a few factors contributing to this including the extended Easter break incorporating Anzac Day which impacted delivery schedules, the fact that the country was in the throes of a Federal Election, which seems to give people reason to pause every time this occurs, and the dry conditions being felt in the South Eastern States of Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania.
Underlying order inquiry rates remain solid which gives rise to a level of optimism that the market will continue to improve however with the general uncertainty surrounding the current federal election cycle combined with the impact of tariffs being imposed in the US, one cannot be certain that activity won’t slip back here in Australia.
Looking around the nation Queensland experienced a drop of 7.5% in the month to be 4.4% behind year to date. New South Wales was also down 13% for the month and remain 8% behind on a year-to-date basis, Victoria was once again down considerably off the back of dry parts of the state, this time by 33% to remain at 18% below the same time last year. W.A. enjoyed another solid boost, up 21% for the month and is now 3% ahead year to date. Tasmania, South Australia are doing it tough with SA down 14% on last year and Tasmania behind 13% and the Northern Territory is also behind by the same amount.
Sales of all machinery categories were down for the month. The under 40 hp (30kw) range was down 8% but remains 6% ahead YTD.
The 40 to 100 hp (30-75kw) range was down 6% and remains 5% down YTD and the 100 to 200hp (75-150 kw) range was down 19% and remains 9% behind year to date. The large 200 hp (150kw) PLUS range continues to struggle, down another 22% this month to be 27% behind for the year so far.
Combine Harvester Sales remain subdued, and expectations are that the full year result may be around the 700-unit mark which is well of the recent highs seen during the Instant Asset Write Off years.
Baler sales continue to struggle, down another 40% for the month to be 34% behind year-to-date and the sale of Out-front Mowers has dried up considerably down another 19% on the same time last year in what is considerably is proving to be a very tough market.
As has been previously mentioned the TMA Annual Conference is scheduled to be held in Melbourne this year on July 24. The full lineup of speakers will be released shortly, and we expect to be having tickets for sale sometime in the month of April.
This promises to be another great event, and we look forward to welcoming another strong crowd.