Tractor sales slide again in July

According to the latest sales report by the Tractor and Machinery Association of Australia (TMA), just 700 tractors were delivered nationally in July, putting year-to-date sales 10 per cent behind 2024 levels.

The steepest falls were in the under-40hp segment, down 25 per cent from the same month last year, although sales of larger horsepower models provided some offset in overall turnover.

“Whilst there are several issues with the health of the market, there appears to have been some tax management in place here which partly accounts for the steep drop,” the TMA said.

“Whilst the volume of tractors by number was down, in Retail Turnover terms, the month was in line with the same month last year supported by an improvement in high horsepower machines.”

Across the states, Victoria recorded the sharpest decline at 27 per cent YOY, while Queensland and New South Wales were down 19 and six per cent respectively. In contrast, sales surged in the Northern Territory (up 117 per cent) and Tasmania (up 18 per cent), with Western Australia also posting a modest lift of 7.6 per cent.

By horsepower category, demand fell most heavily in the sub-40hp range, while 40–100hp and 100–200hp tractors were down six and 10 per cent respectively. The 200hp-plus market was the only segment to show growth in July, up 11 per cent, although it remains 18 per cent behind on a year-to-date basis.

Combine harvester sales were steady, up 1.6 per cent on last year, but the TMA cautioned the market is already well stocked, with lower order intake expected.

Baler sales remain down 30 per cent year-to-date, while out-front mowers slipped further, now 27 per cent behind last year.