FEWEST TRACTORS SOLD SINCE PRE WWII

According to figures released by the AEA the number of agricultural tractors (over 50hp) registered remained low in December 2025, with just 541 machines recorded during the month, the lowest number for the time of year since 2016.

The Association said that total was more than 30% lower than in the same month of 2024 and was also down by a quarter, compared with the average December figure over the previous five years. They confirmed that is similar to the shortfall, relative to the recent mean, across the year as a whole. 

Agricultural economist at the AEA, Stephen Howarth, explained, "The tractor market remains at a low ebb, due to a lack of confidence in the farming sector, prompted by factors including uncertainty about future agricultural and tax policy, challenging weather conditions, increased costs and weak prices for some commodities, notably arable crops."

December's figures brought the total number of agricultural tractors registered last year to a modest 8,791 machines. That is 14% fewer than during 2024 and is the lowest figure since AEA began monitoring tractor registrations in the 1960s.

"In reality," continued Stephen Howarth, "the number of tractors sold during 2025 was almost certainly at its lowest level since before World War II. This doesn't quite tell the whole story, as modern tractors are much larger (and hence can cover more ground) than those in earlier years. Nevertheless, while there have been similarly challenging periods in the past, for example in the late 1990s/early 2000s, last year was certainly one of the most difficult the industry has experienced."