April 2026: TRACTOR and COMBINE HARVESTER SALES
Retail sales of agricultural equipment during April 2026 were as follows:
| Month – April | Year to date | |||||
| 2026 | 2025 | % | 2026 | 2025 | % | |
| Tractors | 548 | 527 | 4.0 % | 2 352 | 2 291 | 2.7 % |
| Combine Harvesters | 52 | 46 | 13.0 % | 107 | 109 | 9.3 % |
Tractor sales in South Africa rose 4% in April 2026, with 548 units sold compared to 527 a year earlier. On a year-to-date basis tractor sales are now almost 3% up on last year. Fifty-two combine harvesters were sold in April, six more than the 46 units sold in April last year. On a year-to-date basis, combine harvester sales are now approximately 9% up on last year.
Market sentiment has recently changed to one of uncertainty and caution. Diesel and fertilizer prices, amongst others, have escalated sharply. Summer crop prospects still look promising, although some harvesting is being hampered by the late rains. Commodity prices are well down on last year. As harvesting progresses, farmers will get a better estimate of their production. However, there is no doubt that they will be looking closely at input costs for the forthcoming summer crop season and may hold back on investing in capital equipment.
Industry predictions of tractor sales for the 2026 calendar year are that these will be similar, or marginally lower, than those in 2025.
Willie Human
Chairman: South African Agricultural Machinery Association
Contact: Willie Human (083) 954-7232 or Dr. Jim Rankin (011) 453-7249