NT leads the way in tractor sales

Tractor sales around the country are holding stable despite tough conditions, albeit still trailing last year’s figures by around 10 per cent, according to the Tractor and Machinery Associations of Australia’s (TMA) April machinery sales report.

However, the extended Easter and Anzac day break had a huge impact on tractor deliveries for the month, the TMA said, therefore the monthly data should be consumed with a grain of salt.

It was a mixed bag of results across the states with Northern Territory claiming the lead with a whopping 50 per cent up on last year’s figures, while Western Australia also had a good month with a 19 per cent jump month-on-month, and sitting 10 per cent ahead of last year.

Tasmania also recorded a 10 per cent increase in sales compared to last year’s figures.

In Victoria, sales picked up somewhat, with numbers going up by 12 per cent on last month but still behind on last year’s figures by seven per cent.

It was a very different picture in drought stricken New South Wales and Queensland, with NSW down 15 per cent for the month and 23 per cent down year-to-date. Queensland recorded a 34 per cent drop in April, and now sits 13 per cent behind last year.

South Australia also struggled, with sales falling by 25 per cent from last year.

Sales across all horsepower segments dropped in April, with the larger horsepower categories copping the biggest blow, now down 10 to 15 per cent for the year. The under-40hp category recorded somewhat decent results, down three per cent for the month and 10 per cent behind for the year.

“The outlook for tractor sales remains fairly conservative,” said TMA executive director, Gary Northover.

“Whilst it is presently raining in many parts of the nation, there will undoubtedly be a tail to this drought where sales activity in the hardest hit regions will take some time to heat up again.

“Dealers are generally reporting that their order banks are dwindling somewhat further supporting this view.”

Baler sales, particularly that of large square balers, are the only silver lining for the industry as numbers continue to move upwards. It is now sitting 20 per cent ahead on last year.

“This has been seen before in times of drought where failed crops are turned into fodder but additionally the growth in export oat sales to countries such as Korea and Japan is spurring activity,” Northover said.

Combine harvester sales are expected to be lacklustre this year, with estimates sitting in the range of 550 units which is significantly down from the mid-800 of the past few years.

Lastly, out front mowers had a reasonable month, with sales now sitting around 19 per cent behind last year’s figures.