BIGGEST DECLINES SEEN IN LARGER TRACTORS THIS YEAR

Last week, we reported that the AEA had said that UK agricultural tractor registrations returned to year-on-year growth in September.

As a result, registrations in the third quarter of 2025 were only 5% lower than in the same period last year, a smaller annual decline than in the first half of the year. Now, the Association has released data on how trends varied across the power range and in different parts of the country.

Across the year to date, the decline in registrations has been most substantial for the largest machines, those over 240hp, with more than 30% fewer logged than in January to September 2024. Below this level, the year-on-year decline was only 11%, with registrations in the 121-160hp range down only 5%.

Agricultural economist at the AEA, Stephen Howarth, explained, "The pattern was similar in the latest three months, with the top of the power range still seeing sizeable year-on-year declines (-15% for machines over 240hp). In contrast, the middle section of the power range, from 101-150hp saw registrations 11% above those in the third quarter of 2024. There was also some annual growth in the 201-240hp range. These trends probably reflect the very different financial situations facing the arable and livestock sectors this year. Registrations are still relatively low by historic standards across the power range, though, indicating an ongoing lack of confidence throughout agriculture."

In terms of an analysis of patterns seen around the country, Stephen said, "The differing fortunes of arable and livestock farmers are also apparent in data for registrations by region. Across the year to date, the fall in registrations was concentrated in the Midlands and East of England, with much smaller declines in the South of England and Northern Ireland. Indeed, registrations in the South West were slightly higher than in January to September 2024.

"In the latest quarter, that region was joined by the South East, South Wales, Southern Scotland and Northern Ireland in the growth column. Elsewhere, there were still sizeable year-on-year declines in North Wales, Northern Scotland and Yorkshire, perhaps indicating that upland farmers are particularly lacking in confidence."