A total of 188 new tractors were registered in the Republic of Ireland during May, representing a 24% decline on the same monthly period during May 2025, according to the latest registration data reported by the Farm Tractor and Machinery Trade Association (FTMTA).

Both April and May have recorded consecutive monthly declines on the corresponding months last year.

However, the year-to-date total still remains positive at 1,431 which is a 12% increase on the equivalent period during 2025.

At the end of the first quarter (Q1) this year, new registrations had jumped by a considerable 46% on Q1 2025. Since then, the margin is quickly being eroded with April recording 24% fewer registrations year on year and May recording a drop of 12%.

Interestingly, Co Tipperary surpassed Co Cork to deliver the highest number of new tractor registrations for the month of May – at 21.

That said, the gap was marginal, with Cork coming in at a close second place with 20 new registrations, followed by Galway and Wexford at 15 units each.

The most popular power band for May was the 161hp to 200hp category, which accounted for 30% of all new tractor registrations for the month. The over-200hp category accounted for 13% of all new tractors for the month of May.

The monthly average tractor horsepower figure for May was 156hp, and the two largest tractors registered were each rated at 305hp.

The year-on-year gap between imported used tractor registrations were closer. FTMTA data shows that 263 imported used tractors were first-time registered in Ireland in May, just 12 units or 4.7% lower than in May 2025. The 2026 year-to-date total now sits at 1,218 to the end of May.

Northern Ireland

A total of 60 new tractors were registered in Northern Ireland in May, according to the most recent figures from the Agricultural Engineers Association (AEA). This marks an increase of 11% on the 54 units registered during the same month last year.

This takes the year-to-date total to 393 units for the five-month period, up 74% on the period in 2025. Looking at the broader UK market, an air of positivity appears to have returned.

A total of 859 new tractors were registered during May 2026, which correlates to a 7% increase on May 2025. This takes the year-to-date total to 4,956; a considerable 23% increase on the January to May period during 2025.

According to the AEA, if similar growth is sustained for the remainder of the year, then the market could bounce back to over 10,000 units this year after dropping to a post war low of 8,791 units in 2025.

However, the rise in costs and the increased level of uncertainty since the closure of the Strait of Hormuz may affect registrations later in the year and could result in the benchmark not being hit.