In Germany, the figures for tractor sales for 2009 have already been issued.

They show good progress by Claas, which is now in fifth position in the German tractor sales league and was the only make in the top five that increased its market share in 2009 – from 6.6 to 7.8%.

After a last-minute sales spurt in December John Deere overtook Fendt to become market leader, with 5674 tractors sold and a market share of 19.3%.

But number-two seller Fendt is quick to point out that, for tractors over 50hp, it remains the real leader with 5073 registrations in this segment and 20.1% market share.

Deere only managed 4789 units here and 19.1% of the market.

A total of 29,465 new tractors were registered in Germany in 2009, a drop of 6% on the previous year.

For tractors over 50hp – a total of 25,227 – the reduction was 8%.

Average tractor horsepower keeps creeping higher, too – it was 143hp in 2009 compared to 140hp in the previous 12 months.

Scroll down to Germany’s top five tractor registrations,