Latest AEA figures confirm just 502 new tractors (50hp+) were registered in the UK last month (February). Down 27.8% on the numbers during the same month a year ago, when added to January figures, the 1,158 new tractors registered during the first two months of this year are down 17.9% compared with the same two months during 2014. With the exception of a slight rally in 2011, UK tractor registrations have been on the slide since the recent peak of just over 17,000 units in 2008. In 2012, the numbers fell to 13,951, and dropped again by 10% in 2013 to 12,498. The volumes fell only slightly by -0.5% last year to 12,433 units. The burning question now is will volumes fall still further during 2015? Some tractor makers reckon the market will remain flat for the first half of this year but then pick up during the second six months with total volumes similar to 2014 levels. Some others, however, predict a further decline in the market for mid-range tractors and a slump in the overall numbers of 5%, possibly even higher. It is still early days, but if the first two months are anything to go by then 2015 could very well see UK tractor registrations dip below 12,000 units.
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