Areas of the country where cereal growing and dairying dominate experienced a bigger slump in new tractor registrations than in livestock grazing areas in 2024, reflecting the different conditions in those respective markets.

Latest figures from the Agricultural Engineers Association (AEA) show that, overall, the number of new tractor registrations in the UK dropped by 13% compared with 2023, to just 10,241 units.

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But there was a marked regional difference, with Northern Ireland actually seeing a marginal increase, to 498 units – reflecting the strength of livestock farming – while Scotland experienced just a small 3.4%, decline.

This compared with the South West of England, where total new tractor registrations were down by 25.5% at 1,323 units, almost matched by the Home Counties (-24%).

In terms of the total number of tractors registered, East Anglia tops the chart at 1,482 new machines in 2024, though this was down 10% on the previous year.

Size matters

The trend towards bigger, more powerful tractors continues unabated.

While the total number of registrations was down 13%, the two highest powerbands – “241hp-320hp” and “over 329hp” – both bucked this trend, being up by 19% and 2.6% respectively.

“With growth in registrations limited to the top end of the power range, the average power of tractors recorded in 2024 increased again, to 179.7hp,” said AEA economist Stephen Howarth.

“That compares with 173.8hp in 2023 and just 168.4hp in 2022.

“With fewer tractors registered, it also means that, while the number of tractors registered in 2024 was slightly lower than in 2020, during the previous downturn, the total power of machines logged during the year was 4% higher, at 1.84m hp.”

Brands update

The latest data set from also includes market shares for 2023. (Competition law means the AEA is not able to publish market share figures for tractors until 12 months have elapsed.)

Once again, John Deere tops the rankings, with just over 30% market share, followed by CNH with 27.6% (of which New Holland took 18.6% and Case had 9%).

Agco’s three brands – Massey Ferguson, Fendt and Valtra – combined had a 22% market share, the same as in 2022.