April 2012 tractor sales up 43.5% - Saama

Tractor sales rose 43.5% to 528 units last month, compared with 368 units sold in the comparative period of 2011, South African Agricultural Machinery Association data showed on Tuesday.

On a year-to-date basis, tractor sales were up 38.3% to 2,763 units, from 1,998 units in the same period last year.

Combine harvester sales rose 52.4% to 64 units in April, compared with 42 units recorded in the previous comparable period.

On a year-to-date basis, combine harvester sales lifted 31.9% to 120 units, compared with 91 units previously.

The association said the fundamentals in the market still remained positive.

"Recent deliveries on government tenders continue to give the market a boost. The market is still very competitive. Crop prices are still holding up well, with stock levels being finely balanced between supply and demand. This will have a bearing on crop prices as local and international grain stocks are quite low," Saama said in a statement.

"Harvesting is only just beginning now, so farmers do not yet have a good feel for what their crops will yield. Once harvesting is proceeding in earnest, farmers will have a better idea about the quality and quantity of the current crop. This should then give the lead to the direction of the agricultural machinery market over the next few months."

Industry predictions for tractor sales for the 2012 calendar year are currently between 6,700 and 7,300 units, up to 10% down on 2011 sales.

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