Tractor retail sales fell 23.85% year over year to 52,896 units in September 2021, down from 69,462 units sold in September 2020, according to data supplied by the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA). However, this was a 39.13 percent increase over the 38,019 units sold in September 2019, which is remarkable given that this was the pre-COVID-19 time frame.
Tractor retail sales increased 13.71 percent year over year to 3,14,221 units in the April to September 2021 period. In comparison, 2,76,338 units were sold in the same period in 2020 and 2,63,684 units were sold in the same period in 2019.
Mahindra and Swaraj are at the top of the rankings
Mahindra and Mahindra Swaraj topped the retail sales rankings in the tractor market once again, despite both organisations experiencing considerable de-growth. Except for Indo Farm Equipment and Captain Tractors, every tractor manufacturer witnessed a drop in retail sales.
Mahindra tractor retail sales were 11,766 units in September 2020, down from 15,827 units in September 2019. With a minor fall from 22.78 percent to 22.24 percent in the previous month, market share remained essentially unchanged. With the forthcoming festive season and initial crop production projections predicting the greatest ever Kharif crop, the organisation is confident about increased sales in the following months.
Swaraj Division, a part of Mahindra, had reduced retail sales in the last month, falling to 8,691 units from 11,599 in September 2020. In Telangana, the company has just launched a new harvester. Swaraj Pro Combine 7060 is a competent tracked harvester that will result in increased productivity and performance, as well as increased grain production and acreage.
Sonalika Tractors, now known as International Tractors Limited (ITL), had its retail sales drop to 6,478 units in September 2020, down from 8,881 units sold in September 2019. During September and October, a two-month tractor service campaign called 'Sonalika Day' will be held at 117 locations across India to give free services, have dialogue and meetings, and honor entrepreneurs.
John Deere, Escorts, TAFE sales drop
Retail sales declined for TAFE, Escorts, and John Deere, all at the bottom of the list. In September 2021, TAFE sales fell to 6,120 units, down from 7,890 in the same month the previous year. TAFE launched a free tractor rental service under the J Farm Services platform earlier this year, which benefited thousands of small and marginal farmers in Rajasthan, India.
Escort sales dropped to 5,474 from 7,412 in the previous month, while John Deere sales dropped to 4,736 from 5,156 in September 2020. Retail de-growth was also reported in September 2021 by Eicher (2,767 units), CNH Industrial (2,188 units), and Kubota (1,336 units).
Indo Farm Equipment's retail sales climbed from 168 units in September 2020 to 342 units in the previous month, while Captain Tractors' sales increased from 106 to 229 units in the same period. With the forthcoming holiday season, which also happens to be harvest season, strong demand is predicted.
