Will the robust performance of SA agricultural machinery sales be sustained in the second half of the year

South Africa's agricultural sector currently faces numerous challenges, ranging from foot-and-mouth disease, protectionism in the EU, rising farm input costs, and deteriorating network industries, amongst others. Still, the benefits of the solid production performance of the sector in the past two years, when commodity prices, specifically for grains and oilseeds, were elevated, are reflected in the machinery sales, which have been robust in the first half of the year. For example, tractor sales amounted to 4 133 units in the first half of this year, up 18% from the corresponding period last year. At the same time, combine harvester sales amounted to 213 units, up by 37%.

Published: 18 July 2022