National tractor sales recorded another decline in November, the Tractor and Machinery Association says, however Western Australia was one state to report increased figures
November was another difficult month for sales of agricultural tractors as dealers continue to report reduced demand across the nation.
Just under 1,000 tractors were sold nationwide for the month, which is 20 per cent below the same time last year.
With one month of data remaining to complete 2024, there has been just 10,000 tractors delivered for the year, which is now 24 per cent below the first 11 months of 2023.
This should put full year sales either at or below 11,000 tractors, which will be the lowest level since 2019.
November also saw the release of the TMA quarterly business sentiment survey, delivered by Kynetec, with over 120 dealers from across the nation responding.
Key findings include further reductions in satisfaction with turnover, a slight increase in expectation of new tractor sales, unchanged expectations for combine sales, decreasing expectations for balers and hay tool sales, and a reduction in inventory levels.
The glimmer of hope for tractor sales, combined with ongoing inventory reductions, provide reasons to have faith for improved sales in 2025.
The full report can be read on the TMA website.
Looking at the state-by-state picture, all states were down except for Western Australia, which saw a rise of 14 per cent against the same month last year but remains 11 per cent behind for the year to date.
Queensland was behind by 13 per cent against the same month last year, to be 21 per cent behind year to date.
New South Wales was down 22 per cent during November and remains 31 per cent behind for the year, while Victoria reported a drop of 12 per cent, to be down 20 per cent compared with the same time last year.
South Australia had another big decline, off a whopping 64 per cent for the month, and is now down 35 per cent for the year to date.
Tasmania was off 72 per cent for the month, however sales in the Northern Territory finished 80 per cent up.
Sales in each of the reporting categories were down this month.
The small, under 40hp (under 30kW) category was down by 2 per cent to be 20 per cent behind for the year to date.
The 40hp to 100hp (30–75kW) range was down by 14 per cent and is now behind 33 per cent year to date, while the 100hp to 200hp (75–150kW) category reported a drop of 26 per cent for the month and sits 23 per cent down for the year to date.
Finally, the 200hp-plus (150kW-plus) range was 40 per cent down compared to the same month last year and is now 15 per cent behind for the year to date.
Sales of combine harvesters are not keeping up with last year and currently sit 27 per cent behind on a year-to-date basis, which marks a significant pull back.
Baler sales were steady in the month and are eight per cent behind for the year to date, while sales of out-front mowers were up 12 per cent in the month in time for mowing season.
Save the date
The TMA is pleased to announce the 2025 annual conference is to be held in Melbourne on Thursday July 24.
The association will be returning to the Hyatt Essendon Fields and keep an eye out for further details in the new year.
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