Sales of Agricultural Tractors and Combines Decline in U.S., Canada

It was another down month for sales of ag tractors and combines in the United States and Canada, according to the latest data released earlier by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM).

July brought significant decreases in U.S. sales of self-propelled combines and 4-wheel-drive tractors – as well as total U.S. 2-wheel-drive tractors compared to July of 2018.

See the full U.S. Ag report for further details. 

“To keep the U.S. agriculture economy strong, we’re encouraging a swift passage of USMCA and continued focus on renewable fuels to help provide some stability for farmers in the months ahead,” says AEM Senior Vice President of Ag Services Curt Blades. “AEM is committed to advocating for pro-growth trade policies and the end to retaliatory tariffs.”

As of yet, the U.S. Congress has not passed the USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement) although the leaders of each country have approved the deal, which would replace NAFTA. Read more about the USMCA in the article "Associations Urge Passage of USMCA."

U.S. 4-wheel-drive tractor sales were down 4.7% in July compared to last year, while sales of combines dropped nearly 26%. Total U.S. sales of 2-wheel-drive tractors and under 40 hp 2-wheel-drive tractors did not experience growth either, seeing decreases of 0.1% and 0.6%, respectively.

On the positive side, however, sales of 40-100 hp tractors were up 4%.

For Canada, July 4-wheel drive tractor sales were negative (down 32%) and self-propelled combine sales decreased 43.8%. July 2-wheel-drive tractor Canadian sales were down in all size categories (11.1% for under 40 hp, 10.8% for 40-100 hp, and 15% for 100-plus hp).

Further details can be found in the Canada ag report.