Jim Rankin, Secretary of the SA Agricultural Machinery Association (SAAMA), says year-to-date tractor sales for the first nine months of the year are also down, compared to sales over the same period last year. He is of the opinion that the very late onset of summer rains are holding tractor sales back.

According to Rankin, farmers are squeezed very hard, particularly in the eastern production area in the country where they need to start planting very soon, and that this is currently affecting tractor sales. He, however, says there is hope that harvester sales will pick up in wheat-growing areas in November and December. He says issues around agricultural policies do in some instances have an impact on farmer’s investments, but he is also of the opinion that weather conditions also play a vital role.

OFM News' Christal-Lize Muller spoke to him…

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