Combine harvester sales finished 2022 with healthy gains in unit sales, but ag tractors ended with sales below 2021 levels.
According to new data from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), total U.S. ag tractor unit sales fell for both the month of December as well as the year as a whole compared to 2021. The sub-40hp segment lead the losses in both timeframes, losing 26.7 percent for the month and 19.3 percent for calendar 2022. U.S. self-propelled combine sales, however, grew 16.3 percent on the month, finishing the year up 15.8 percent. Only one other segment grew for the year, 100+hp units, finished the year up 11.3 percent despite losing 2.7 percent for the month of December. Total farm tractor sales in the U.S. for the year fell 14.8 percent versus 2021.
“The strength of combine harvester sales during this unusual time in ag markets is a testament to the advantages new technologies make in improving the quality and quantity of crops farmers can bring out of the field,” said Curt Blades, AEM senior vice president, industry sectors and product leadership. “And while other segments fell versus 2021, the previous two years saw the sales gains they did because of the pandemic, while this year was more a return to normal. That said, overall equipment sales finished near or above their 5-year average more often than not this year.”
The full report can be found here.