Month

Percentage

Year-to-date

Percentage

August

change

August

change

2010

2009

%

2010

2009

%

Tractors

470

490

-4.1

3 279

3 739

-12.3

Combine Harvesters

10

13

-23.1

149

231

-35.5

August tractor sales of 470 units were 4% down on the 490 units sold in August last year. Year-to-date tractor sales are now 12% down on last year. August combine harvester sales were 23% down on sales in August last year and are 36% down on a year-to-date basis.

The negative factors mentioned in past months, namely delayed summer crop harvesting and low maize prices, are still affecting the market adversely. Farmers are not under any pressure to make buying decisions immediately, so it will probably only be once the summer rains begin in earnest that we will get a better sense of direction in the market. The tractor market is being boosted by recent government tenders. These tractors are now being delivered. This tender activity is likely to continue for the next few months. Industry forecasts for 2010 tractor sales are still of the order of 5 000 units, approximately 10% down on last year.

Leon Pretorius
Chairman: South African Agricultural Machinery Association
Contact: Mr. Leon Pretorius (011) 437-2600 or Dr. Jim Rankin (011) 453-7249