Article provided: South African Agricultural Machinery Association

Retail sales of agricultural equipment during May 2021 were as follows:

May tractor sales of 518 units were almost 13% more than the 459 units sold in May last year. Year-to-date tractor sales are now 24% up on last year.   In May there were 35 combine harvester sales, four units more than the 31 units sold in May last year. On a year-to-date basis, combine harvester sales are now 24.0% up on last year.

There is continuing optimism in the industry, with several of the crop estimates having been increased by the Crop Estimates Committee in their latest estimate in May. The overall maize crop is now expected to be almost 6% up on last season and the soya bean crop, the largest ever, over 50% up on last season.  

Good demand for agricultural machinery is likely to continue. Two factors, however, may cause longer lead times on equipment supplied locally.   These are, firstly, the upturn in worldwide demand for equipment and, secondly, logistical complications brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic.   Farmers are going to have to plan well ahead to make sure they can get the equipment they want when they want it.

Karel Munnik
Chairman: South African Agricultural Machinery Association

For more information contact: Mr. Karel Munnik (082) 412-2577 or Dr. Jim Rankin (011) 453-7249