March tractor sales up 11% in March says Saama
Tractor sales increased 11% to 658 units in March this year, up from 595 units in the comparative period a year ago‚ helped by expectations of a much higher maize crop‚ the South African Agricultural Machinery Association (Saama) said.
There has been a 14% rise in tractor sales since last year. Image: Beeboys Fotolia
However‚ on a year-to-date basis‚ tractor sales are down by 4% at 2‚023 units from 2‚106 units in the first three months of last year.
Combine harvester sales of 69 units were three units fewer than the 72 units sold in March last year.
On a year-to-date basis combine harvester sales were about 7% down at 127 units compared with the same period last year's when 136 units were sold.
The association said summer crops in most regions were looking good‚ with the crop estimates committee's second production forecast showing that estimates for all summer crops were significantly up on last year.
"The estimate for the overall maize crop is almost 11% up on last year. Some farmers have taken the opportunity to bring forward their purchasing decisions ahead of the price increases which the industry is now facing‚" Saama said.
"Despite the prospect of higher equipment prices affecting sales in the short-term‚ prospects for the rest of the year look favourable‚ although sales are likely to be between 5% and 10% down on last year‚" Saama said.
The association said that expectations are that tractor sales in the current calendar year will be between 6‚800 and 7‚200 units.
Source: I-Net Bridge
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