Politics & Agri Machinery Pricing

Tractor sales in South Africa recovered well in 2017 after a slump in 2016 due to the widespread drought. However, the current political and economic climate, and its effect on the value of the rand, could affect sales during the latter part of 2018. Denene Erasmus reports.

- Denene Erasmus

The latest report on tractor and combine harvester sales in South Africa, published by the South African Agricultural Machinery Association (SAAMA), showed that on a year-to-date basis, tractor sales for the first seven months of the year were almost 7% up on last year, from 4 147 to 4 424 units sold.

However, August tractor sales of 487 units were almost 18% down on the 591 units sold in August last year. Sales of combine harvesters were also down: nine units, compared with 12 in August last year. On a year-to-date basis, combine sales are now about 7% down on last year.