POWER TRENDS FOR '23 TRACTOR SALES REVEALED

The AEA has released data that looks at how trends varied between power bands and UK regions during 2023.

In terms of power, the Association says growth was mainly seen in the top half of the power range, with 15% more machines over 160hp and 13% fewer between 101 and 160hp. Agricultural economist at the AEA, Stephen Howarth, explained, "There was also some growth for machines between 51 and 100hp, although some of that might have been for non-farm uses and the number of machines in that range is relatively small these days. Registrations in the final three months of last year were down 7%, compared with the same period of 2022, with any growth limited to the very top (over 280hp) and bottom (51-70hp) of the power range."

Stephen continued, "With growth mainly at the top of the power range, it is little surprise that the average power of agricultural tractors registered during 2023 increased. It reached 173.9hp, over 5hp higher than in 2022 and beating the previous record set in 2020. That means the average power has pretty much returned to the historic trend, after dipping below it over the previous couple of years, partly due to supply chain disruptions."

As a result, the total power of agricultural tractors registered during 2023 topped 2 million hp for the first time since 2012, when nearly 20% more machines were being sold.

At regional level, there was growth in most parts of the UK but significantly fewer machines were registered in Northern Ireland and the North East of England than in 2022. There were also marginally fewer recorded in East Anglia, South Wales and the North West. The fastest growth was in the English Midlands and the South West.