AGFACTS Newsbrief Summary - August 2009

·       Information from the AGFACTS Used Tractor database indicates that the average power of tractors in the database has increased from 70 kW in 1995 to the current level of 90 kW.

·       The average age of tractors in the AGFACTS Used Tractor database has reduced from a level of approximately 13 years during the period 1995 to 2000, down to approximately 10.4 years currently.

·       The trend in the overall year-on-year price change of agricultural machinery is downwards.   The current overall year-on-year price increase (smoothed) is 15.5%.

·       The sixth estimate of commercial maize production for the 2008/2009 season is 11.603 million tons, 8.6% down on the previous season.

·       The preliminary area estimate for wheat for the 2009 season is 653 000 ha, 12.7% lower than in the previous season.

·       Year-to-date tractor sales to July 2009 amount to 3 249 units, 23.2% down on last year.   (Reported sales now exclude export sales.)