Figures just released by the Farm Tractor & Machinery Trade Association (FTMTA) indicate that a total of 1,968 new tractors were registered during 2019. This represents a reduction of 16 units or less than 1% on the 1,984 units registered in 2018.

The figures show that the slowdown in registrations of new tractors witnessed since the end of July resulted in a minimal decrease on the 2018 total. With registration figures for the first six months of year being 54 units ahead of the same period in 2018, for a time it seemed possible that registrations of new tractors would break the 2,000 level for the first time since 2008, but this did not materialise.

Positive outcome

FTMTA chief executive Gary Ryan explained: “In reality, the final result, while a reduction on the previous year, is still a relatively positive outcome for the sector given the challenges posed by the Brexit deadlines and the well-documented difficulties in the beef sector during the year, both of which undoubtedly had a negative impact on customer sentiment. The mood did seem to improve and forward orders for 2020 certainly improved.”

The three counties with the highest levels of registrations during 2019 were Cork (254 units), Tipperary (186 units) and Wexford (135 units). The other counties in three-digit figures for the year are Galway (107 units) and Meath (110 units).

FTMTA is not allowed to release market share information for a given year until a full year later. From the 1,984 units registered in 2018, the three top selling brands were John Deere (21%), New Holland (19%) and Massey Ferguson (17%).