Agricultural machinery sales on the rise, signalling optimism in farming

THE Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz) has reported a significant upswing in agricultural machinery sales, marking a breath of fresh air for farmers and agricultural experts alike.

- YOGASHEN PILLAY

Latest figures reveal that the sale of tractors and combine harvesters surged in April 2025, reflecting a growing confidence in the agricultural sector.

Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist at the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz), noted that tractor sales were up by 5% year-on-year, with 527 units sold in April, continuing a positive trend observed over the past four months.

Even more remarkable were the figures for combine harvesters, which soared by 77% year-on-year, with 46 units moving off the shelves. These robust sales have alleviated concerns regarding the quality of crops, particularly in light of heavy rains that have affected agricultural operations.

"The heavy rains in April have caused concerns about crop quality. Still, there remains optimism about the yields, which supports the robust sales," Sihlobo said.

"For example, the Crop Estimates Committee forecasts South Africa's 2024-25 summer grain and oilseeds production at 18.01 million tons, 16% higher than the 2023-24 production season, representing a decent recovery from drought."