Tractor sales dropped across the country in April due to several factors, the Tractor and Machinery Association says, with Western Australia the only state to see a rise
Activity in the tractor sales market was significantly down during April, with less than 800 tractors sold across the nation.
This was 13 per cent down on April 2024’s numbers and puts the year-to-date figure at around 9 per cent below the same point last year.
There were a few factors contributing to this.
One was the extended Easter break which incorporated ANZAC Day and impacted delivery schedules.
Another was the country being in the throes of a federal election, which seems to give people reason to pause every time this occurs, while the dry conditions in the south-eastern states of Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania also had an impact.
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 United States, one cannot be certain that activity will not slip back here in Australia.
Looking around the nation, Queensland experienced a drop of 7.5 per cent in the month to be 4.4 per cent behind for the year to date.
New South Wales was also down 13 per cent for the month and remains 8 per cent behind on a year-to-date basis.
Victoria was again considerably down off the back of dry parts of the state, this time by 33 per cent compared to April 2024, and remains 18 per cent below the same time last year.
Tasmania and South Australia are doing it tough with SA down 14 per cent on last year and Tasmania behind 13 per cent, while the Northern Territory is also behind by the same amount.
Western Australia was the one state to enjoy another solid boost, being up 21 per cent for the month and is now 3 per cent ahead for the year to date.
Sales of all machinery categories were down for the month.
The under 40hp (under 30kw) range was down 8 per cent during April but remains 6 per cent ahead for the year to date.
The 40hp to 100 hp (30-75kw) range was down 6 per cent for the month and remains 5 per cent down for the year to date, while the 100hp to 200hp (75-150 kw) range was down 19 per cent compared to April 2024 and remains 9 per cent behind for the year to date.
The large 200hp plus (150kw plus) range continues to struggle, down another 22 per cent this month, to be 27 per cent 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, a figure which is well below the recent highs seen during the Instant Asset Write Off years.
Baler sales continue to struggle, down another 40 per cent for the month to be 34 per cent behind for the year to date, while the sale of out-front mowers has dried up considerably in what is considerably is proving to be a very tough market, with April’s figures down another 19 per cent on the same time last year.
As 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 tickets will go on sale soon.
This promises to be another great event, and the TMA looks forward to welcoming another strong crowd.