Farm machinery exports hit €500m
Michael Moroney, chief executive of the Farm Tractor and Machinery Trade Association (FTMTA), the show organisers, said more farm machinery is exported from Ireland than is imported, according to the latest Enterprise Ireland data.
All types of Irish-built farm machinery are now being sold in every continent in the world. The strength and durability of the machines has been the building block of their reputation.
“This has reignited the reputation of Ireland as a source of quality farm machinery, a reputation that was at its height at the beginning of the last century when Pierce of Wexford was a household name among farmers across Europe and the world,” he said.
Mr Moroney said tractor sales in Ireland have remained unchanged over the last four years. Sales per farm increased marginally as the number of farms declined by almost 16%. This indicates a farmer willingness to mechanise with the objective of improving efficiencies.
Latest estimates indicate that sales of farm machines were worth over €270 million during 2004, almost unchanged relative to 2003. But the overall trend over a longer period shows that the value of the market continues to increase year on year.
Tractor sales accounted for almost 70% of the total turnover in the sector during the past year. Sales of new tractors have matched the previous year levels, while imports of second-hand tractors increased.
High capital cost machines such as combine harvesters and self-propelled silage harvesters have taken a big drop in sales. These are considered contractor machines and numbers sold have decreased in line with increases in power and work output from these machines.
