News MARKET
Sales of combine harvesters are forecast to return to the 800+ unit sales not seen for the past two years
July sales surge Higher levels of interest in larger categories of agricultural machinery are becoming obvious in sales data
The new financial year has seen a continuation of the outstanding growth in tractor sales across the country, with July recording a 19 per cent increase on the same month last year. Activity is showing no signs of abating as the federal government’s temporary Full Expensing program replaces the Instant Asset Write-Off program – giving buyers the ability to write the entire value of their purchase off against this year’s profit, compared to the $150,000 limit in place to this point. This has clearly appealed to buyers with renowned interest in the larger categories of machine now becoming apparent. Against this backdrop, reports from across the country are indicating an outstanding season ahead with abundant rain falling in most regions. A more detailed look at the numbers reveals that all states have reported increases on the previous
Gary Northover is executive director of the Tractor & Machinery Association of Australia (TMA). He can be contacted on (03) 9813 8011 or at gary@tma.asn.au
July, with NSW leading the pack, up 28 per cent as the restocking of business in that state continues. Victoria was up 11 per cent and Queensland enjoyed a 16 per cent rise for the month. Sales in Western Australia rose eight per cent, South Australia reported a 25 per cent increase for the month and Tasmania finished 19 per cent ahead.
Sales into the Northern Territory enjoyed an 11 per cent rise. All performance reporting categories saw strong rises for the year, with the exception of the under40 horsepower (30kW) range, down 17 per cent in July due largely to stock shortages. The 40 to 100hp (30–75kW) range was again up strongly 20 per cent in the month; the 100 to 200hp (75–150kW) category was up 36 per cent. The large 200hp (150kW) plus range had another strong rise, up 138 per cent on what was a very quiet July last year. This category has been steadily rising as the market prepares for another bumper harvest season and buyers take advantage of the Temporary Full Expensing program to advance their fleet replacement programs. Sales of combine harvesters have been staging a steady recovery over the past year and dealers are reporting strong demand, which should be realised over the coming months leading to harvest. Forecasts are for a return to the 800+ unit sales levels not seen for a year or two. Baler sales were solid in July, up 27 per cent, and sales of out-front mowers have started the year strongly recording an 11 per cent rise. As the TMA has been highlighting for some months now the industry is coping with a range of extremes on the supply side at present. Machine deliveries continue to be pushed out, particularly in the smaller ranges and price rises for raw materials are beginning to impact the finished product. New challenges continue to emerge with items ranging from computer chips to tyres now having an impact.
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22 Farms & Farm Machinery
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