August tractor sales surge by 22%

AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY SALES

- YOGASHEN PILLAY

AGRICULTURAL Machinery Sales indicate that August tractor sales of 700 units were 22% more than the 572 units sold in August last year. There have been welcome reactions from agricultural associations about the increase in machinery sales.

Willie Human, the chairman of the South African Agricultural Machinery Association, said year-to-date tractor sales are now approximately 23% up on last year. “ Five combine harvesters were sold in August, the same number as were sold in August last year. On a year-to-date basis, combine harvester sales are now almost 26% up on last year”

Human added that sentiment in the market remains positive, and this is reflected in the good sales of tractors and combine harvesters currently being experienced. “The recently released winter crop estimates indicate that production of all these crops, with the exception of barley, will be significantly higher than last year. Harvesting of summer crops was much delayed this year, but yields have, in the main, been good. Prospects for the forthcoming summer cropping season look favourable”