Arable farmers lead the drive to buy new tractors
© Tim Scrivener An upturn in the number of new tractor registrations so far this year has been driven by demand for larger models, particularly for arable enterprises.
During the first three months of the year, 3,354 new tractors were registered, 10% more than the same period in 2022, according to the Agricultural Engineers Association (AEA).
Registrations of tractors over 160hp from January to March 2023 were up by 48% on the year, while registrations of 101hp to 160hp tractors fell by more than 20%.
See also: UK tractor registrations at highest monthly level since 2009
UK tractor registrations – hp breakdown (January to March 2023) |
||
|
HP range |
Units |
Percentage change (2023/2022) |
|
51-100 |
335 |
+5.3% |
|
101-120 |
376 |
-11.5% |
|
121-140 |
339 |
-6.9% |
|
141-160 |
464 |
-33.4% |
|
161- 200 |
979 |
+80.0% |
|
201-240 |
536 |
+19.9% |
|
241 – 320 |
197 |
+32.2% |
|
Over 320 |
128 |
+24.3% |
AEA agricultural economist Stephen Howarth said: “The trends in higher power bands may partly reflect improved availability, as supply chain disruptions ease.
“However, it probably also reflects strong demand from arable farmers who have had a good couple of years, due to strong prices.”
Regional breakdown
There was an increase in registrations across most UK regions with the exceptions of the North West, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The biggest increases were noted in eastern England, the North East and the South East – regions where arable farming dominates.