"WELL BELOW AVERAGE"

According to figures released by the AEA, for the second year in a row, the number of agricultural tractors registered in January was well below average.

The monthly total of 462 machines was 3% fewer than in the same month last year, representing the slowest start to the year since 1999.

Agricultural economist at the Association, Stephen Howarth, described the month as around "..20% below the seasonal average."

Stephen went on to explain, "The opening couple of months of the year are usually a quiet period for registrations, though, and as it follows a relatively strong December figure, it will be a couple of months before we have a clearer picture of how the market will develop in 2025."