The latest figures on new tractor registrations for Ireland show that 190 new tractors were registered in the 26 counties for the month of March.

The figures produced by the Farm Tractor and Machinery Trade Association (FTMTA) Statistic Service show that 700 new tractors were registered so far this year. Tractor power continues to increase, with tractors over 120hp now accounting for over 88% of the total tractor market.

There remains a strong trade in used tractor imports, mainly from the UK market, where new tractor sales for the month of March rose by 43%, overtaking new tractor registrations for the first time in many years.

The FTMTA figures show that 258 used tractors were registered for the first time in March, bringing the first quarter of 2017 total to 744 units, a massive 68% increase. This is mainly attributed to the decrease in the value of sterling relative to the euro, making these tractors more price attractive.

The market for tele-handlers continues to hold firm year on year, with the FTMTA figures showing that 108 tele-handlers were registered for the first three months of 2017, just marginally lower than the 2016 figure.

Record UK sales

Sales of tractors in the UK have reached a three-year high, according to new statistics.

There were a total of 1,770 tractors sold in the UK in March 2017, which is up a massive 43.2% on the pervious March. Sales in March represent the highest volume of sales for any month since March 2014.

Between January and March 2017, there were 3,024 tractors sold in the UK, which is up 27% on the same period in 2016.