Sub-9000 tractor sales in sight as market slides for sixth month
July's tractor sales mark a 15 per cent year-on-year decline, with the industry now on track for its weakest annual result since 2011Australia's tractor market recorded another soft month in July, with approximately 600 units sold — down 15 per cent on July last year and now 11 per cent down on a year-to-date basis, according to the Tractor and Machinery Association (TMA).
July is traditionally a quieter month following the end-of-financial-year sales bump, but the TMA said a return to positive territory remains some months away. All states except Western Australia reported declines for the month, and every machine reporting category was down.
Horsepower demand
Sales declines were broad-based across all horsepower bands in July, with the 100-200hp category the hardest hit for the month.
Engine HP | Month | YTD |
|---|---|---|
Under 40hp | -7.9% | -15.1% |
40-100hp | -12.5% | -8.1% |
100-200hp | -24.3% | -12.8% |
200hp plus | -11.9% | -9.4% |
State performance
Western Australia was the only state to post a monthly gain, up 9.4 per cent, while the Northern Territory recorded the sharpest monthly fall at 69.2 per cent.
State | Month | YTD |
|---|---|---|
QLD | -19.7% | -10.5% |
NSW | -22.2% | -17.8% |
VIC | -5.8% | -8.2% |
TAS | -23.1% | -5.3% |
SA | -21.7% | -7.7% |
NT | -69.2% | 1.5% |
WA | 9.4% | -9.1% |
With the year now past its halfway mark, the TMA said there is a real prospect that full-year sales could fall below 9000 units — which would be the lowest annual total in 15 years.
In other machinery categories, combine harvester sales totalled 20 units in July, bringing the year-to-date figure to 50 per cent down on the same period last year.
Baler sales were down 30.8 per cent for the month but remain up 11.6 per cent year to date.
Out-front mower sales continued to rise, sitting five per cent ahead year to date, while self-propelled sprayer sales posted a strong lift of 29.6 per cent compared with July 2025.
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