Disappointing month for Tractor sales in July

From the tractors and machinery association of Australia, tractor sales have taken another dip during the month of July after exhibiting some promising signs the month before. With just on 700 tractors delivered for the month - 10% below the same month last year - the industry is now 10% behind last year on a year-to-date basis.

The biggest drop occurred in the small under 40 hp range which was 25% behind the same month last year. Whilst there are several issues with the health of the market, there appears to have been some tax management in place here which partly accounts for the steep drop. Whilst the volume of tractors by number was down, in Retail Turnover terms, the month was in line with the same month last year supported by an improvement in high horsepower machines.

Sales of Combine Harvesters remain challenging and it’s clear that the market is well stocked for machines at this stage. Sales are up 1.6% on last year but order intake suggests that a number well down on last years to be expected

Sales of Balers were again down for the month and are 30% behind year to date and finally, sales Out Front Mowers dropped and remain 27% behind YTD.