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Phil Holden
New tractor deliveries for 2025 jumped 10% compared to the previous year, a reflection of the positive primary sector outlook, according to the Tractor and Machinery Association (TAMA).
General manager Phil Holden says tractor deliveries at 3088 units continues to reflect the positive outlook that has quietly been building over the last three to four months.
Holden says the December year-end result represents a strong 10% lift on the previous year.
"This reflects the building confidence of TAMA members and their farmer and contractor clients that the continued strong performance of dairy, and the strengthening of beef and lamb pricing is providing a more solid fiscal base that is flowing through the tractor and machinery sector into firm sales and forward order commitments.
"That aligned to the strong grass growth being experienced this summer in the key regions, all means it all feels a lot more positive than was the case 12 months ago."
Total December month deliveries at 329 units represents a solid 5.8% lift on the same month the previous year, driven primarily by strong sales in the 200 HP plus sector which ended the period 26.1% ahead.
The year-end result saw all three key HP segments - 100-150HP, 150-200HP, and 200HP plus - finish the year ahead of last year by 17.8%, 37.1% and 9.7% respectively.
Holden says this is all good news for TAMA member dealers and wholesalers and confirms their views that were outlined in the last TAMA dealer sentiment survey where 75% of respondents were projecting a significant lift in new tractor sales over the next six months.
Delivery performanced across both islands was broadly in line with each other with North Island deliveries ending at 9.2% ahead of last year and the South Island ending at 11.4% ahead.
"Again, this is all very promising, and members will hope the current momentum continues after two very tough years," says Holden.
He says the new free trade deal with India will be another major boost to overall primary sector performance.
"And with dealer confidence building in both tractors and machinery equipment sales, 2026 is presenting positively which is resulting in solid forward tractor and machinery orders, which is welcome news for TAMA members across the country," he adds.
As we move into the 2025/26 growing season, the Tractor and Machinery Association (TAMA) reports that the third quarter results for the year to date is showing that the stagnated tractor market of the last 18 months is showing signs of recovery.
With June ending and following the most upbeat National Fieldays for several years, tractor dealers are reporting a lift in sales.
With agriculture in New Zealand coming out of the doldrums over the last few months and the recent announcement of a 20% tax write-off for capital purchases, it likely that farmers will be spending on tractors.
With annual tractor sales being a barometer for the state of the industry, New Zealand’s machinery importers and distributors, along with their dealerships, will be glad to see the back of 2024.
First up to the podium at the recent Tractor and Machinery Association (TAMA) Conference in Wellington, Minster for Agriculture, Todd McClay, reflected on a difficult 12 months, but hinted at signs that things were turning the corner, saying “when ag does well, New Zealand does well”.
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New tractor deliveries for 2025 jumped 10% compared to the previous year, a reflection of the positive primary sector outlook, according to the Tractor and Machinery Association (TAMA).
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