According to new figures, the volume of tractors sold in May were up on the same period in 2014 as reported in this week’s Irish Farmers Journal.

Registrations of new tractors reached 220 units for the month of May, according to the latest data from the Farm Tractor and Machinery Trade Association (FTMTA) statistics service. That figure is up +9% on the May 2014 registrations. However, the overall year-to-date registrations of 1,183 units is 5% below last year’s figure.

Cork continues to lead the way with 164 new tractors registered for the year to date, while Tipperary is in second place, followed by Offaly and Wexford tying for third place, just marginally ahead of Galway.

The 100-120hp sector continues to grow and accounted for 37% of all new tractors registered in May this year. As the silage season came into full swing, bigger tractors have dominated the market; 50% of all tractors registered this year are over 150hp in size.

So far this year, 851 used tractors were imported to the Irish market, compared with 1,120 for the first five months of 2014.

Be a part of a stronger farm machinery industry – join the Farm Tractor and Machinery Trade Association – contact FTMTA at 045 409309 or membership@ftmta.ie for details.