We are seeing better harvests in field crops, fruits and vegetables. And when the farming sector is in better condition, the interlinked industries such as machinery suppliers also benefit.
We have started this week on a positive note regarding the trend in South Africa’s agricultural machinery sales. In fact, sales have remained reasonably robust since the start of 2025 and are likely to continue at this encouraging pace throughout the year.
More specifically, the tractor sales have increased for the past nine consecutive months, while combine harvester sales have only cooled in the last four months, having started on a solid momentum.
The recent data for September 2025 also paints a mixed picture. For example, the tractor sales are up 15% y/y, with 758 units sold.
However, the combine harvester sales were down 53%, with eight units sold. The soft sales in combine harvester sales are not a significant concern, given the higher volume of sales in the past few months. Importantly, the cumulative sales of combine harvesters for the first eight months of 2025 are up 17% from the corresponding period in 2024, with 180 units sold.
Positive sentiment across the board
The increase in agricultural machinery sales primarily reflects the positive sentiment in the sector regarding the 2024/25 field crop, horticulture, and wine grape harvest, supported by the favourable weather conditions. It also signals optimism about the season ahead.
Considering the 2024/25 season, which we are ending, the production figures look excellent across the board:
- The Crop Estimates Committee forecasts the 2024/25 summer grains and oilseeds harvest at 19,94 million tons, up 28% y/y;
- South African sugar production for the 2024/25 production season is forecast to recover by 7% y/y to 2,09 million tons;
- South Africa’s wine grape harvest was 1,244 million tons, an 11% recovery from 2024;
- The South African table grape industry has also posted some upbeat production figures, and there is encouraging production data from citrus, various fruits, and vegetables.
Better production conditions
In essence, we expect South Africa’s agricultural machinery sector to remain strong this year. In addition to the better agricultural production conditions, the interest rates have eased somewhat from last year’s levels.
Also worth noting is that some farmers may continue with machinery replacement in the coming months, which will ultimately support sales.
Most notably, there is also optimism about the upcoming 2025/26 season, which promises to be favourable, with prospects of La Niña rains. From mid-October, South African farmers will begin tilling the land in the country’s eastern regions, primarily for the cultivation of yellow maize and soya beans.
From mid-November onwards, we will see an increase in planting activity in the western areas of the country, where farmers will prepare the land for sunflower seeds and white maize, amongst other crops. There is generally optimism that the new season, 2025/26, will also be as excellent as the one we are ending,
Increased focus on biosecurity
Be that as it may, not all is well in agriculture. The livestock industry continues to battle with the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, which requires not only an increased focus on strengthening our biosecurity controls in the country, but also an increase in vaccine manufacturing.
The efforts to assist the sector require collaboration from both the government and the private sector.
Aside from the livestock industry, the better weather conditions and subsequent increased outputs of crops, vegetables, and fruits continue to support the agricultural machinery industry.
- Sihlobo is the chief economist of the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa. He is also the author of three books, the most recent written with agricultural economist Johann Kirsten titled ‘The Uncomfortable Truth About South Africa’s Agriculture’
