UK agricultural tractor registrations up 10% in January through March

The figures also show variation in trends between machines of different powers and in different parts of the country. Most of the growth in registrations was for machines of over 160hp, with 80% more tractors recorded in the 161-200hp range between January and March 2022.

Registrations of machines over 200hp were also up by more than 20% on the previous year. However, fewer tractors were sold under 160hp in the opening three months of 2023.

The trends in higher power bands may partly be explained by improved availability as supply chain disruptions subside. At the same time, it might also reflect strong demand from arable farmers who have seen an increase in profits over the last two years due to strong prices.

This possibility is also reflected at regional level, as registrations increased across most of England, with the exception of the North West. The greatest increases were recorded in the South of England and East Anglia, both prime arable regions, as well as the North East, although the latter only accounts for a small proportion of tractor sales.

In contrast, registrations were lower than last year in Wales and Northern Ireland and only slightly higher in Scotland, all parts of the UK dominated by grazing livestock farming, which fared less well financially in 2022.