Farm machinery industry facing challenging times, AGM hears

THE farm machinery industry, in line with the economy as a whole, is in the midst of the most challenging circumstances in many years.

Eamonn Tinney Jnr, president, made the observation in his address to the annual general meeting of the Farm Tractor and Machinery Trade Association (FTMTA). Sales value of the farm machinery industry in Ireland is over €450 million annually.

Mr Tinney said the collapse of the construction sector, which had become a substantial market for traders, has presented difficulties. “Unfortunately, this has coincided with a period in which all areas of our core market, agriculture, are under immense pressure.