Tractor, Combine Sales Seen Dropping In 2010

Sales of tractors and combines in both the Canadian and U.S. markets are expected to drop significantly in 2010 from 2009 levels.

The Milwaukee-based Association of Equipment Manufacturers, a trade association for over 800 makers of farm, forestry, construction, mining and utility equipment, said last week that it expects to see double-digit decreases, percentage-wise, in sales of combines and four-wheel-drive tractors in 2010 from 2009 levels.

That follows "relatively flat" sales in 4-WD tractors, as well as sales growth in combines, in 2009, the association said in a release.

For all sizes of two-wheel-drive tractors, however, declines are expected to be less steep than the drop seen during 2009, the AEM said.

For other types of farm-related equipment in the AEM's annual survey, overall 2010 demand for most products in the U.S. and Canada is expected to improve after 2009 business declines.

Specifically, in Canada, 4-WD tractors are expected to see an 18.3 per cent drop in sales in 2010 compared to a 19 per cent drop in the U.S. and a 12.3 per cent increase in Canada in 2009. Canadian sales are then expected to rise by 0.7 and four per cent in 2011 and 2012, respectively.

Canadian sales of self-propelled combines, for another example, are expected to drop by 13.3 per cent in 2010, eight per cent in 2011 and 0.3 per cent in 2012, following a 7.5 per cent increase in 2009. U.S. combine sales are expected to drop by 11.8, seven and 0.3 per cent in 2010, 2011 and 2012 after an 8.5 per cent increase in 2009.