New tractor registrations in December fell by 28.9% compared with the same month a year ago, Agricultural Engineers Association (AEA) figures show.

According to AEA economist Stephen Howarth, 628 machines were registered in December marking the first decline in sales since the early autumn.

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However, Mr Howarth cautioned against drawing conclusions about the strength of the market in a month when sales were notoriously volatile.

December sales can be influenced by the timing of the Christmas holiday period, he said.

In previous years upcoming legislation changes on 1 January have also influenced the number of vehicles pre-registered, Mr Howarth added.

Sales were also down for the year as a whole, with a 3.6% fall compared with 2021, to 11,580 units.

However, Mr Howarth said the AEA was encouraged by the overall figure.

Sales were close to a normal level of 12,000 units despite soaring input costs and supply chain disruption following the Covid pandemic and the war in Ukraine, he said.

The fact that sales are close to the norm represented a relatively strong performance in a very difficult year, he said.

He also suggested that delivery times for new machines were shortening.

“In the wake of the Covid pandemic, delivery times were up to nine months from purchase.

“That figure has come down to four-to-six months – still relatively long, but a big improvement,” Mr Howarth said.

“Looking ahead, January and February are traditionally quiet for new tractor registrations.

“We will have a better idea of the strength of the 2023 market when sales peak in March ahead of the busy cultivation period,” he said.