Tractor sales may hit 2001 levels, says association
Final figures are expected to match those of 2001 when sales exceeded 2,800 units in the 26 counties, FTMTA chief executive Michael Moroney said the health of the farm economy will determine interest in new tractor sales.
However, there are other important factors and these are now coming into play in the Irish market.
Farm labour is becoming scarce on farms. And new machines can offer the opportunity to match the dwindling time resource with the growing workload on many farms, he said.
The FTMTA, organisers of next month’s Farm Machinery Show at Punchestown, also believes that low bank interest rates have also encouraged more purchases.
Demand for new tractors has also increased in Northern Ireland. Sales were up significantly to 870 units for the year.
Meanwhile, the FTMTA reports the farm machinery show on February 4-6 at the Punchestown Exhibition Centre, is a sell-out with the biggest number of trade exhibitors ever set to take part.
It will be used by a number of manufacturers, Irish and international, to launch a whole range of new farm machines, products and services “The equipmen ranges from hand tools to the largest combine harvesters,” said committee chairman, Michael Devane.
“The show is being supported by a number of farming financial institutions and other organisations such as IT Tralee, the Health and Safety Authority and Teagasc,” he said.
The Farm Machinery Show, which will be officially opened by Agriculture and Food Minister Joe Walsh, will be the biggest covered display of farm machinery ever staged in Ireland.
