TRACTOR SALES DIP IN MAY

According to figures released by the AEA, following the high levels of registrations in April, UK agricultural tractor registrations (over 50hp) dipped in May.

A total of 889 machines were registered during the month, which is a -27.2% change, compared with May 2018.

Year to date, 5,162 units have been registers with is a -3.4% change, compared with January-May 2018.

Stephen Howarth, agricultural economist at the AEA, said of the dip, "This indicates that, as suggested last month, some of the registrations in April may have been due to machines which were brought into the country ahead of Brexit. It was always likely this would leave somewhat fewer to be registered in May.

"Nevertheless, registrations for the year to date were only 3% lower than in the first five months of 2018. That indicates that although Brexit is causing some volatility in the monthly figures, it has not had a dramatic effect on the number of tractors being registered overall."