TRACTOR sales have been in recovery following the difficult year in 2020, with sales rising by 12% across the UK in the first quarter of this year – though Scotland has only recorded a rise of just a little more than 5%.

Last year saw one of the lowest market totals since 1990 – at 10,380 units across the UK, it was a far cry from the heady 18,000 sales recorded in 1995 and 17,000 sales in 2008. The tally for 2020 was down 17-18%.

But this year has opened brighter and even these sales figures may be masked by the fact that a combination of Covid-19 production constraints, a lack of components and Brexit 'issues' have conspired to squeeze availability of some tractors, so much so that some models will have a waiting list of many months.

The most popular brand in 2019 was John Deere, which had 28% of the market; CNH (New Holland and Case IH) captured 26% of sales; followed by AGCO stable of Massey Ferguson, Fendt and Valtra, on 24.5% market share.

For now, there are a few new machines coming on stream to tempt buyers and we will reveal some of the highlights in this Tractor Special: