SAAMA Press release – March 2024

Month – March
Percentage change
Year-to-date
Percentage change
2024
2023
   %
2024
2023
   %
Tractors
 498
 676
 – 26.3%
 1 383
 1 927
 – 28.2%
Combine Harvesters
 26
 39
 -33.3
94
 94
 – 44.7%

March tractor sales of 498 units were significantly (26%) less than the 676 units sold in March last year.   Year-to-date tractor sales are now 28% down on last year.   Twenty-six combine harvesters were sold in March, 13 less than the 39 units sold in March last year.   On a year-to-date basis, combine harvester sales are now almost 45% down on last year.

With the El Niño phenomenon now expressing itself, some uncertainty has been created amongst farmers.   Although summer crops in the east should provide good yields, late planted crops, particularly in the west, will not realise the yields hoped for.   The Crop Estimates Committee predictions show that there will be significant reductions in most summer crops, particularly in the Free State and North West provinces, compared to last year.   The rain over the past week or so will be too late to save these late-planted crops.   The Crop Estimates Committee is predicting a maize crop for the forthcoming season almost 13% down on last year and soya beans almost 23% down.

Expectations are that, despite the market being very competitive, 2024 calendar year tractor sales will be between 15 and 20% % down on last year.

Tallie Giessing
Chairman: South African Agricultural Machinery Association

Contact: Tallie Giessing (082) 874-0449 or Dr. Jim Rankin (011) 453-7249