The latest registration figures released by the Farm Tractor and Machinery Trade Association (FTMTA) show that a total of 174 new tractors were registered during April 2026.

Despite this being a decline of 40% on April 2025 – when a total of 291 new tractors were registered – the increase in sales during the first quarter of 2026 has absorbed the shortfall, keeping the year to date total ahead on last year.

The year-to-date total now sits 21% ahead on same four month period during 2025 at 1,243 units.

Co Cork delivered the highest number of new tractor registrations – at 26 – for April, while Tipperary recorded 13 units, followed by Kilkenny and Wexford, having recorded 11 units each.

The most popular power band for April 2026 was the 161hp to 200hp category, which accounted for 26% of all new tractor registrations for the month. The over-200hp category accounted for 16% of all new tractors for the month.

The monthly average tractor horsepower figure for April 2026 was 158hp, and the largest tractor registered was rated at 355hp.

Meanwhile, the FTMTA data shows that 190 imported used tractors were first-time registered in Ireland in April 2026, 133 units lower than in April 2025. This brings the total number of imported used tractors for the year so far to 955 units.

Northern Ireland

Figures from the Agricultural Engineers Association (AEA) show that a total of 86 new tractors were registered in April 2026, up 68% on the 51 new units registered during April 2025. This leaves the year-to-date moving total for the first four months at 333 new units registered, which is an increase of 93% on the 172 units for the period last year.

Looking at the broader UK new tractor market, a total number of 1,105 new tractors were registered during the month of April, up by 12% compared with April 2025 and close to the seasonal average over the previous five years.

This brings the UK total for the year to date to nearly 4,100 units, almost 800 units (28%) more than in the opening four months of 2025.

No different to the Irish market, the AEA highlighted that most of the machines registered during March and April were likely to have been ordered before the start of the conflict in the Middle East.

Therefore, it remains to be seen whether the rising costs and increased uncertainty farmers are experiencing as a result of the war will have any impact on registrations as the year progresses.

Telescopic loaders

The FTMTA reported that 58 new telescopic loaders were registered during April 2026, 19% fewer than in April 2025. The total number of new registrations for the four-month period sits at 394 units. JCB and Manitou continue to lead the way in terms of numbers registered, together accounting for 70% of the total market, while Weidemann has dropped to a 7% market share.

There were 29 imported used telescopic loaders registered in April 2026, a significant reduction from the 52 units registered in April 2025.

Wheeled loaders

The Irish wheeled loader market recorded fewer new registrations in April 2026 at 23 units compared with April 2025 at 38 units, which was a market decrease of 39%.

The smaller Chinese manufactured machines at the lower price and power end of the market accounted for over 45% of the new wheeled loader registrations in Ireland.

There were just two imported used wheeled loaders registered in April 2026 compared with eight in April 2025.