Used tractor imports in 2020 have seen a very marginal 1.1% decrease in activity in comparison to 2019, according to figures from the Farm Tractor & Machinery Trade Association (FTMTA).

Registrations of used imported tractors into Ireland continued their recovery in the later months of the year from the record low levels of the second quarter when less than 100 used imports were registered across three months. This was due to the closure of the NCT centres under the public health restrictions in relation to COVID-19.

November saw a total of 401 used imports registered (up from 234 units in November 2019) and December saw 387 used imports, the highest December figures in at least six years.

Brexit concerns

The FTMTA noted that it seems likely the exceptional level of December activity may have been driven by concerns around the post-Brexit scenario in terms of sourcing used machines in the UK. A total of 3,010 used imported tractors were registered during 2020 which was only marginally behind the 3,045 units registered in 2019.