Sales of tractors and farm machinery are currently steady compared to 2018 but there are a few challenges facing the
sector, says Tractor and Machinery Association (TAMA) president, John Tulloch.
TAMA year-to-date figures to the end of April showed a total of 1104 sales across all HP categories compared to 1111 in
2018: a drop of 0.6%. North Island sales decreased by 4.7% with 713 sales compared to last year’s 748 but South Island
sales increased by 7.4% with 390 compared with 363.
Mr Tulloch said it was interesting to note that April national sales figures were down 11.7% compared to April 2018 and
this was partly due to a reduction in the smaller models (20 to 50 HP), used by small commercial operations and
lifestyle block owners. Sales in this segments dropped 10%.
“When business confidence in the cities is flat as is currently we expect to see a reduction in purchases of smaller HP
models as fewer people choose to commit.”
2018 was a record sales year for TAMA with more than 4600 units old but Mr Tulloch now predicted that this year it would
be between 4300 and 4500, mainly due to the sales drop off in the smaller models. Last year, about 1000 sales were in
the lifestyle segment.
Overall confidence in the rural sector was strong, going against the trend of business indicators, and farmers were
buying machinery however there were a few developments that might impact future sales, he said.
The first is the tightening of credit conditions. To help increase its cash reserves, the Reserve Bank has signalled a
requirement to increase the equity to loan ratio. This will affect the indebted rural sector, in particular dairy
farmers who typically carry a lot debt. Some banks might pull out of lending to the rural sector or increase interest
rates.
Mr Tulloch said another change was the forthcoming increase in shipping rates due to new emissions regulations taking
effect. By January 2020, most ships in the world will be subject to restrictions on sulphur emissions under a treaty
called Marpol Annex VI. New Zealand has not ratified Marpol Annex VI yet but the majority of ships operating here are
flagged to countries that have ratified and so are bound by new emissions rules.
“Basically, ships that previously used crude oil have to switch to a lower sulphur oil-based fuel, probably diesel, and
this would push up shipping costs for tractor and machinery importers that would need to passed onto consumers.”
Mr Tulloch said the third challenge facing the sector was the increase in the minimum wage.
“Many people working in our sector actually receive more that the minimum age but there will be a flow on effect. If the
lower end of the wage scale increases then all wages need to be reviewed and this causes wage inflation.”
“Four or five years ago, a service technician received about $28 an hour, now that’s up to $35. But despite the wage
increases, we still have problems with a lack of qualified staff.
“Like many other industries, the tractor and farm machinery sector has to get better at attracting, inducting and
retaining young people while also retaining older, more experienced staff. TAMA absolutely has a role in this and we
need to better promote the exciting career opportunities that exist in our sector.”
Mr Tulloch said solutions around staffing would be one of the main topics at the TAMA inaugural conference being held in
Wellington in August. The theme of the conference is “Gearing Up” and the programme has been designed to share
information on how industry members – manufacturers, dealers and distributors - can future proof their businesses.
Speakers will include Hon Damien O’Connor, Minister of Agriculture, economist Cameron Bagrie and Professor Ian Yule of
Plant Tech. The conference will end with an industry awards dinner.