Tractor sales track toward 15-year low as conditions bite
Weak farmer sentiment, drought and supply disruptions pushed Australian tractor sales down 12.5 per cent in MayAustralian tractor sales fell sharply in May 2026, with around 700 units sold to sit 12.5 per cent below the same month last year, according to the Tractor and Machinery Association of Australia's (TMA) latest sales figures.
This comes as dry conditions across NSW, Queensland and South Australia and ongoing supply disruptions stemming from the war in Iran continue to weigh on the market.
The result brings year-to-date sales to 9.4 per cent below 2025 levels, and with the halfway mark of the year approaching, full-year volumes of around 9000 units are now considered a real possibility which would be the lowest figure reported in 15 years.
Horsepower breakdown: big tractors take the hardest hit
Only the sub-40hp segment bucked the trend in May, while the 200hp-plus category recorded the steepest monthly decline:
HP Category | Month | YTD |
|---|---|---|
Under 40hp | +4.4% | -16.4% |
40–100hp | -10.6% | -7.8% |
100–200hp | -12.7% | -7.6% |
200hp+ | -35.0% | -5.0% |
Despite the small monthly gain, the sub-40hp segment remains the worst performer year-to-date at -16.4 per cent.
State by state: NSW and SA among the hardest hit
Declines were recorded across all states in May, with Tasmania, the NT and South Australia seeing the sharpest falls:
State | Month | YTD |
|---|---|---|
QLD | -1.2% | -5.4% |
NSW | -17.8% | -18.1% |
VIC | -11.8% | -7.2% |
TAS | -40.5% | +5.0% |
SA | -32.7% | -4.3% |
NT | -36.4% | +33.3% |
WA | 0.0% | -12.1% |
Queensland was the most resilient state, slipping just 1.2% for the month, while WA held flat. NSW remains one of the weakest markets year-to-date at -18.1%, with dry conditions likely to weigh further on demand.
Balers a bright spot in subdued market
Baler sales continue to be the standout performer, now 31 per cent ahead year-to-date. Elsewhere, self-propelled sprayer sales fell 36 per cent compared to May last year, out-front mowers were down 15 per cent, and combine harvester activity remained minimal.
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