New figures from the FTMTA show that a total of 1,069 new tractors has been registered for first quarter of 2026, which is a significant increase of 46% over the same period in 2025. The March 2026 new tractor market registered 252 units, which was 40% higher compared with the same month in 2025.

Co Cork delivered the highest number of new tractor registrations in March, at 46 new units, while Waterford recorded 15 units. Kildare, Kilkenny, Mayo and Wexford each recorded 13 units.

The most popular power band for March 2026 was the 161hp to 200hp category, which accounted for 23% of all new tractor registrations for the month. The over 200hp category accounted for 16.66% of all new tractors for the month of March 2026. The monthly average tractor horsepower figure for March 2026 was 155hp, and the largest tractor registered was rated at 517hp. The FTMTA data shows that 291 imported used tractors were first-time registered in Ireland in March 2026, 37 units more than in March 2025.

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Northern Irish Q1 sales up 104%

Figures from the Agricultural Engineers Association (AEA) show that a total of 99 new tractors were registered in March 2026, up 125% on the 44 units registered in the same month last year. Looking at quarter one registrations in Northern Ireland, sales are up 104%. A total of 121 new tractors were registered in the first quarter of 2025, with a whopping 247 units registered in the same period in 2026.

Meanwhile, looking at tractor sales across the UK, a total of 2,134 machines were registered during the month of March, up by 45.6%, compared with March 2025. Registrations were also slightly above the average for the time of year over the previous five years. The AEA noted that March is usually the peak month for registrations, as the start of the fieldwork season coincides with the end of the tax year and the introduction of a new registration mark in the UK. This year seems to be no exception and the monthly total was the highest for three years, as was the number of machines registered in the first quarter, which reached 2,992 units, a 34.3% change compared with January-March 2025.

Telescopic loaders

FTMTA figures show that the Irish market for new telescopic loaders reported a 25% reduction in March 2026 at 76 units compared with March 2025. The two leading brands, JCB and Manitou, accounted for 70% of the total market, while Weidemann has a 10% market share. There were 51 imported used telescopic loaders registered in March 2026, a slight reduction from the 53 units registered in March 2025.

Wheel loaders

The Irish wheel loader market recorded a higher number of new registrations in March 2026 at 24 units compared with March 2025 at 11 units, which was a market increase of 51%.

The smaller Chinese manufactured machines at the lower price and power end of the market accounted for over 40% of the new wheeled loader registrations in Ireland. There were just five imported used wheeled loaders registered in March 2026 compared with 10 in March 2025.

The Irish backhoe loader market decreased in March 2026 compared with March 2025 with one new machine registered. There were eight used backhoe loaders registered in Ireland in March 2026 compared with 6 in March 2025.

There were 38 new UTVs registered in Ireland in March 2026, compared with 13 in March 2025. There were five used imported UTVs registered for the first time in March 2026, compared with one in March 2025.