AEM: Tractor sales down, combines up slightly
In a sign of continued troubled in the farm economy, U.S. sales of agricultural tractors declined across most horsepower categories in February compared to the same month last year, while combine sales posted modest growth, according to the latest data from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers.
“Farmers remain focused on managing input costs while maximizing productivity,” said Curt Blades, senior vice president of industry sectors and product leadership at AEM. “While equipment purchases tend to follow broader farm income cycles, the long-term outlook for modernizing fleets and adopting advanced technologies remains strong.”
In the United States, agricultural tractor sales declined compared to February 2025, with the most significant declines occurring in the under-100 horsepower categories. Higher horsepower tractors also experienced softer demand as producers continue to evaluate capital purchases amid changing commodity prices and interest rate pressures.
Total farm tractor sales in the United States declined 12.2% in February, with 9,804 units sold compared to 11,167 units in February 2025.
Year-to-date tractor sales in the United States totaled 18,587 units, representing an 8.7% decline compared to 20,365 units sold during the first two months of 2025.
Combine sales in the United States declined 12.6% in February, with 159 units sold compared to 182 units last year. However, year-to-date combine sales increased 15.4%, reaching 322 units compared to 279 units during the same period in 2025, reflecting continued demand for harvesting efficiency and advanced technology.
Canadian equipment sales showed similar trends, with tractor sales declining year-over-year while combine sales experienced significant growth early in the year.
