It seemed that in 2013 nothing could prevent machinery sales in Canada and the United States from being strong. The Association of Equipment Manufacturers have released its April 2014 Flash Report for retail Sales of farm machinery. The results year to date are not pretty in Canada while in the US farm machinery retailers are holding pretty good considering the decline in the farm commodity markets.
Get More: See the United States Report
Get More: See the Canadian Report
In the United States, 2WD tractors sales are up 1.2% in April 2014 compared to April 2013 and up 4.1% year to date (YTD) in comparison to 2013. In terms of 4WD tractors April numbers were down 7.5% in comparison to a year ago. The year to date sales of 4WD tractors were down 7%. Self propelled combine sales in April were down 3.2% while the YTD numbers for combines in the US were down 8.2%
In Canada 2WD tractors sales are down 5.9% in April 2014 compared to April 2013 and up 1% year to date (YTD) in comparison to 2013. In terms of 4WD tractors April numbers were down a stunning 26.5% in comparison to a year ago. The year to date sales of 4WD tractors were down 21.2%. Self propelled combine sales in April were down 51.1% while the YTD numbers for combines in Canada were down 12.3%
No reasons were given for the Canadian numbers being so much poorer than in the US. The sales numbers in the US and Canada for 4WD tractors and self propelled combines are weak and must have retailers concerned about the direction of this cycle. One would have to speculate that some sales features will be showcased to try to stimulate sales to prevent inventories from piling up for the retailers.
