According to SAAMA, 459 tractors were bought this November compared 438 in the previous year. “However, sales of tractors in general and larger tractors in particular are quite subdued in the traditional maize growing areas,” said SAAMA.
“With the continued strength of the rand it remains a buyers’ market, with some farmers taking the opportunity to invest in capital equipment.” Year-on-year, 174 combine harvesters were sold by November 2010 compared to 270 units in the previous year – a 35,6% difference.
For the same periods, tractor sales are currently 10,4% down. So far, over the past 12 months, 4 774 tractors have been bought, a drop from the previous 12-month figure of 5 329.