U.S. total farm tractor sales decreased 15.6% in March compared to 2019, while U.S. March self-propelled combine sales fell 11.9%. That includes decreases in all segments, with combines and 40- to 100-horsepower tractors (-15.2%) performing the best.

For Canada, November 100-plus-horsepower tractor sales were the lone growth spot in North America, however, overall Canadian tractor unit sales fell 23%, with self-propelled combines following along losing 38.1%. 

When compared to similar industries, like the U.S. auto and light truck market where the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis shows March unit sales having fallen nearly 42% overall, and a similar drop in U.S. heavy truck sales according to the St. Louis Fed, farm tractors and self-propelled combine unit sales are in better shape.

“Although the March numbers were likely impacted by COVID-19, it is too soon to tell the long-term impact of the current crisis on ag equipment sales,” said Curt Blades, senior vice president of ag services at the AEM. “AEM has been working diligently to ensure agriculture is declared an essential industry by the governments in North America.  As a result, our number one priority as an industry right now is doing what we can to meet the needs of farmers during planting time while keeping our employees and customers healthy.”

The full reports can be found in the market data section of the AEM website under ag tractor and combine reports. 

View the U.S. reports here. 

View the Canadian reports here.

AEM is the North America-based international trade group representing off-road equipment manufacturers and suppliers with more than 1,000 companies and more than 200 product lines in the agriculture and construction-related industry sectors worldwide. The equipment manufacturing industry in the U.S. supports 2.8 million jobs and contributes roughly $288 billion to the economy every year.  

—From an Association of Equipment Manufacturers news release