Tractor sales up but second lowest ever
3 December 1999
Tractor sales up — but second lowest ever
TRACTOR sales for November are up almost 20% on last year – but are still the second lowest number recorded.
Figures released by the Agricultural Engineers Association show 593 tractors of a power above 40hp were sold last month, 18.4% more than in 1998.
Sales for 1999 are expected to reach 11,000, an increase of 15% on the disastrous previous year.
ASA economist Chris Evans said: “Im pleased that the figures are better than last year, but theyre still extremely low by any standards.”
Mr Evans said the industry was on “a knife edge” and that forecasts for two differing scenarios had to be considered.
“If the Pound weakens and product prices increase, I would hope to see an improvement.
“If there is a recovery there will be a lot of old tractors to be replaced. In 1992 sales went up by 33% after a slump.”
But if the farming crisis continues Mr Evans could foresee a decrease from this years sales figures. “Considering the underlying position is not getting any better, these increases may not hold.”
The most recent peak year was 1995 when 19,000 vehicles were sold.
- Tractor sales up despite August drop, FWi, 10 September, 1999
- Tractor sales down 37% in 1998, FWi, 15 January, 1999
- Tractor sales expected to fall further, FWi, 09 January, 1998