October 2021: TRACTOR and COMBINE HARVESTER SALES
Retail sales of agricultural equipment during October 2021 were as follows:
| Month - October | Percentage Change % | Year-to-date - October | Percentage Change % | |||
| 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | |||
| Tractors | 856 | 825 | 3.8 | 6238 | 4980 | 25.3 |
| Combine Harvesters | 45 | 26 | 73.1 | 242 | 178 | 36.0 |
October tractor sales of 856 units were almost 4% more than the 825 units sold in October last year. Year-to-date tractor sales are now approximately 25% up on last year. Combine harvester sales of 45 units were19 units more than the 26 units sold in October last year. On a year-to-date basis combine harvester sales are now 36% up on last year.
Market sentiment continues to be positive and commodity prices are holding up. Winter crop prospects are still very encouraging. However, input costs have become a concern for farmers going into the summer planting season. This, together with the longer lead times which most companies are facing is holding sales back a little. Industry forecasts for the remainder of the year indicate that tractor sales for the 2021 calendar could be 20% up on last year.
Karel Munnik
Chairman: South African Agricultural Machinery Association
Contact: Mr. Karel Munnik (082) 412-2577 or Dr. Jim Rankin (011) 453-7249