SAAMA Press Release – September 2023

SAAMA Press Release – September 2023

September 2023: Tractor and Combine Harvester sales

Retail sales of agricultural equipment during September 2023 were as follows:

September tractor sales of 715 units were 8% less than the 777 units sold in September last year.   On a year-to-date basis tractor sales are now approximately 5% down on last year.   Eighteen combine harvesters were sold in September, one more than the 17 units sold in September last year.   On a year-to-date basis combine harvester sales are now 38% more than last year.

September is usually a “neutral” month for tractor and combine harvester sales.   Summer-crop farmers are waiting for the first rains in order for them to finalise their soil preparation operations and plan for crop planting in the next month or two.   This year farmers are showing caution in the face of uncertainty, particularly in regard to weather expectations.   Buying decisions can be postponed until external factors are clearer.   Within the next few weeks, the short-term course of tractor and combine harvester sales should be apparent.   However, there is little doubt that year-on-year comparative tractor sales will continue to show a downward trend after record sales in recent months.

Industry forecasts for tractor sales for the 2023 calendar year are still that they will be between 10 and 15% down on last year.   It is expected that combine harvester for the 2023 calendar year will be between 10 and 20% up on last year.

Tallie Giessing
Chairman: South African Agricultural Machinery Association

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