Total unit sales of agricultural equipment are roughly flat with 2019 so far this year in the U.S., according to the latest data from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. Unit sales of agricultural tractors and self-propelled combines rose in April 2020, the AEM said.

A closer look

U.S. total farm tractor sales rose 12.3% in April compared to 2019 while U.S. April self-propelled combine sales inched up 4.1%. Only heavy-duty (100+ hp, articulated 4WD) tractors declined in unit sales in the U.S. That puts total YTD sales of all farm tractor units down 0.6% for 2020, and combines down 10.1% in the same period.

For Canada, April tractor sales fell across all segments except mid-range (40-100 hp) units, leading to an overall decline of tractor sales of 5.7%, with self-propelled combines following along losing 29.9%.  That puts overall farm tractors down 13.1% for 2020 YTD, and combines down 34.6% in Canada.

“When you look at March and April sales together, instead of seeing a month of significant year-over-year declines followed by a month of healthy gains, you should instead see two months that performed as expected given the current situation.” said Curt Blades, senior vice president of Ag Services at the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. “The COVID-19 crisis is certainly causing some uncertainty in farm income and ag equipment purchases for the balance of the year.”

Related:AEM releases February 2020 sales figures

The full reports can be found in the Market Data section of the AEM website under Ag Tractor and Combine Reports.

Source: AEM, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.