Over 13,000 tractors sold in 2023

Only 900 tractor units have been sold in November 2023, representing a 33 per cent drop from the same month last year to sit 24 per cent behind year-to-date (YTD), the Tractor and Machinery Association of Australia (TMA) reported.

However, total sales figures so far this year has reached over 13,000 units, still a great result when compared to longer term trends, the TMA said, although that may change next year.

“If these declines continue, we can expect a much lower 2024 and potentially beyond,” said TMA executive director, Gary Northover.

“There is no doubt that the market is adjusting to the higher-than-average sales volumes of 2021 and 2022 however economic and environmental factors are contributing to this correction.

“Not only are local interest rates having an impact but the inflationary effects of increased labour costs and ongoing supply chain difficulties have seen machinery prices rise significantly and history tells us that these can take some time to unwind, if at all.”

Machinery dealership yards around the country are now carrying plenty of stock, the TMA added, although there are still bottlenecks and issues with processing items through Australian wharfs.

“All attempts to have priority applied to machinery that might be time sensitive are met with the answer that the system is overloaded and can only manage on a first-come-first-in basis,” Northover said.

“This means that ag machinery must take its place alongside such things as passenger vehicles when it comes to being released from quarantine and if delays are experienced, the impact can be significant.”

Looking around the nation, most states experienced significant dips in tractor sales in November, with Queensland recording the biggest drop of 48 per cent year-on-year (YOY) to be 27 per cent behind YTD.

New South Wales was down 40 per cent YOY to be 26 per cent behind YTD, while Victoria was down 37 per cent YOY and 28 per cent down YTD. 

Sales in Western Australia fell 29 per cent to sit 19 per cent behind last year while Tasmania recorded a 20 per cent drop for the month and 21 per cent down YTD. Sales in the NT finished 69 per cent down YOY and sits 19 per cent behind YTD.

South Australia was the only state to record an increase in sales, 40 per cent up YOY to sit 16 per cent behind YTD.

Falls were experienced in all machine categories except for the 200hp plus range which was up 40 per cent on the same month last year but remains 16 per cent behind last year.

The small under 40hp category was down by 48 per cent for the month and is now 27 per cent behind YTD. The 40 to 100hp range was also down 48 per cent and is now 27 per cent behind YTD, while the mid-size 100 to 200hp category dipped by 27 per cent YOY to remain 25 per cent behind YTD.

In other machine categories, combine harvester sales have all but come to an end for the year with 125 units sold in November taking the year end figure to just over 900.

Baler sales have also tapered and are now 3.5 per cent ahead on a YTD basis while sales of out-front mowers are down by around nine per cent compared with the same time last year.