2017 tractor sales could surpass 6 000 units Lloyd Phillips - Farmer's Weekly

Despite the softening of South Africa’s agricultural machinery sales last month, national tractor sales for 2017 could top the 5 855 units of 2016, and even exceed 6 000 units, according to a statement by the South African Agricultural Machinery Association (SAAMA).

SAAMA reported that September 2017 tractor sales of 552 units were 11,4% down on the 623 units sold in September last year.

Despite this, year-to-date September 2017 tractor sales of 4 675 units were 4,2% up on the 4 486 units sold over 2016’s corresponding period.

Similarly, while the four combine harvesters sold in September 2017 were 60% down on the 10 units sold in September last year, year-to-date September 2017 sales of 160 units were 8,1% above the 148 units sold for the year-to-date September 2016.

SAAMA chairperson, Lucas Groenewald, said that with the national maize estimate for the 2016/2017 summer revised upwards again to an all-time record of 16,7 million tons, maize prices were under further pressure.