While 32 combine harvesters were sold in SA in July 2012, only 15 were sold last month. Callie Human, Chairperson of the SA Agricultural Machinery Association (SAAMA), reported that summer grain yields had been good across SA except in the western parts where very dry conditions had plagued the current season.
“This has led to many farmers finalising their buying decisions, resulting in continued good sales, particularly in the maize growing areas,” Human said. “Demand for agricultural machinery is still good, but predictions are that sales will slow down in the short-term as newer, higher-priced stock as a result of the weaker rand, makes its way into the market.”
SAAMA reported that July 2013 tractor sales of 660 units were 1,5% down on the 670 units sold in July 2012. No less than 4 527 tractors had been sold nationally for the year-to-date July 2013, 4,1% down on the 4 723 units sold over the year-to-date July 2012. Despite the big drop in July 2013 combine harvester sales, year-to-date July 2013 national sales of 261 of these machines was 4,4% higher than the 250 units sold for the year-to-date July 2012.
“Industry expectations now are that tractor sales in the 2013 calendar year will be of the order of 7 000 to 7 500 units, between 5% and 10% down on 2012 sales,” said SAAMA’s Secretary, Dr Jim Rankin.
