Sales of new agricultural machinery during 2023, in Spain

As is the tradition every year, we show the data of the sales of new machinery in Spain during 2023, these data are extracted from the information published by the Ministry of Agriculture (the information is published monthly, you can see this information from here). It is a summary of the most interesting data in our opinion. Overall, the figures are generally worse than in 2022, which they were caused mainly by last year's severe drought. In any case, the lower figure is in line with the general trend of the average of recent years.

The number of new tractors sold has decreased to 8,688 (10,318 units in 2022). A figure that is in line with the 10,000 new tractors sold annually which has been the benchmark figure for more than 10 years. As we have already mentioned, we would even say that this figure is good after the catastrophic year we have had in general in Spain with the drought, low product prices and high input costs.

New tractor sales by brand continue to be led by John Deere (1,910 units in 2023, 2,141 units in 2022 and 2,351 units in 2021) and New Holland (1,159 units in 2023, 1,522 units in 2022 and 1,736 units in 2021). The news is that this year John Deere is again the leader in sales by commercial group. Fendt remains, for yet another year, in third place with 628 units sold (a figure that catches our attention since these are high-end tractors that are becoming more and more common in the poor Spanish countryside). Below you can see sales by brand on the chart:      

On the other hand, another interesting fact is the best-selling brand in terms of average power where Fendt continues to lead the market for another year with 202 HP/tractor (187 HP/tractor in 2021 and 187 HP/tractor in 2021). More information can be found in the following tables (data source Más que máquinas agrícolas blog):     

Some more interesting facts about the sale of new tractors: 

• The Ministry has estimated the average sales price of a new tractor at € 83,346 ( €77,698  in 2022 and €61,456 in 2021).
• The average horse price continues to rise and is already at 668 €/HP ( 646 €/HP  in 2022 and 592 €/ HP in 2021). 
• The average power of a new tractor sold in Spain is around 125 HP (120HP in 2022 and 119 HP in 2021). The average power of the total Spanish fleet is 70 HP.

To finish with the tractors, we show you the most sold models in Spain (data source Más que máquinas agrícolas blog):

1. John Deere 6120M: 209 units.
2. John Deere 6155M: 207 units.
3. John Deere 6R250: 197 units.
4. New Holland T5.120: 172 units.
5. John Deere 6R185: 153 units.
6. John Deere 5100M: 146 units.

As for sales of new agricultural machinery in 2023, we would like to show a chart where you can see monthly sales. You have data about tractors, trailers, tillage machinery, seed drills, mowers or harvesting machinery, etc. We would like to mention that a total amount of 30,953 new machines were sold in 2023 (31,870 units in 2022 and 35,633 units in 2021), which indicates the downward trend. Many of these machines have been sold thanks to state subsidies in terms of Agriculture 4.0, Renovation plan, etc. Without these subsidies we would surely be talking about a much lower figure.

We highlight the following data on new sales of agricultural machinery: 

• Sales of new trailers: 2,885 units,  2,951 units in 2022 and 3,818 units in 2021. 
• Regarding trailed or mounted machinery: 
• Soil tillage machinery: 3,530 units, 2,926 units in 2022 and 3,122 units in 2021. 
• Seed drills machinery: 1,353 units, 1,002 units in 2022 and 1,011units in 2021. 
• Crop protection machinery: 6,057 units, 6,938 units in 2022 and 7,650 units in 2021. 
• Spreaders and fertilization machinery: 1,825 units, 1,976 units in 2022 and 2,596 units in 2021. 
• Harvesters machinery: 2,239 units, 1,819 units in 2022 and 2,062 units in 2021.      

Apart from that, we have to give special mention to the new combine harvesters sold in Spain which in 2023 was 217 units compared to 2022 with 191 units and 279 units in 2021. This year, Claas regains the first place, doubling the second place in sales. This sector is completely monopolised by Claas, New Holland and John Deere with 92% of the market.

We want to give a special mention to the sales of self-propelled grape harvesters, which this year are lower than in the previous year with 93 new units sold (137 units in 2022 and 135 units in 2021). New Holland leads the market again, even more strongly for another year with 72% of sales. We can conclude that the market has been stable for several years with around 100 new units sold. We think that this is a good amount, so we think the wine and olive sectors are sectors with great potential. 

Finally, we show you a few pictures of our friend Nemesio, who with the purchase of his Fendt 314 Profi+ contributed to increasing annual sales of new tractors in 2023. Other graphs on new tractor sales as well.

Versión en español.

Rainfall in 2023

As usual, once a year, we analyse the annual rainfall data for our area and prepare this report to show the results to all of you. These data are very located (La Alberca de Záncara - Cuenca), but we think that the precipitation pattern could be applicable to the central area of Spain (the northern and southern zones have considerably more rainfall throughout the year).

Looking at the amount of rainfall throughout the year (495mm), who would thought it was a disastrous harvest year? This year has indeed been the worst we have experienced as farmers (we remember 1995 and 2005, when there was also a drought). Nonetheless, this year 2023 has been catastrophic for the countryside, especially in the central region of the peninsula. And it is true that the quantity is much higher than last year (a year when cereal and pulse crops were also poor)... and as we have been saying for some years now, rainfall patterns are worse and worse. This time, the rainfall couldn't have been worse, since the bulk of it occurred in the last days of May and June, when the harvest was already lost, and in September, when we hadn't even started with the 2023-2024 campaign.

The rains in June spoiled what little harvest there was, causing the few little grains to fall to the ground and weeds to sprout quickly (we had to till the harvested fields with the disc harrows because with the cultivator it was practically impossible). As for the intense rains in September, they couldn't have done more damage to the field due to the large torrential downpours they generated... water that, instead of benefiting, destroyed the soil, uprooted woody crops and was lost without proper use.

If we focus on rainfall by season, this time spring was the rainiest period (195 mm), and winter practically did not register any precipitation... this was one of the key factors for the almost total loss of the crop.

For some years now, the climate has been becoming a serious problem for extensive rainfed crops. It seems that the annual rainfall pattern (long periods of drought and torrential rains), fits better with woody crops, which are able to take store more water when it rains and withstand drought better.

Versión en español.

Castilian lentil. Sowing work with the MF 8S.225

We started the year visiting our friends Leoncio and Miguel, at the Casablanca farm (San Clemente - Cuenca), the aim was to see the Massey Ferguson 8S.225 Dyna-7 sowing Castilian lentils. We spent a fun afternoon watching the tractor in action... we really liked the tractor. MF certainly has a premium product with 8S Series. 

In our area, vegetables pulse crops are already very common and we use them in the rotations required by European aid (CAP). Cuenca is one of the provinces where most sunflower is sown, but in our area (southern part of the province) the sunflower is already a minimum crop due to the very dry and hot summers, so for years we have focused on winter crops and woody crops. We still sow some sunflower, but in very specific fields to control weeds, for example. 

In terms of machinery, the 8S tractor and the Aguirre seed drill made a spectacular team. We really liked the tractor, especially the breadth of the cab and its comfort. Miguel told us that he was very happy and that it allows him to work many hectares a day and many hours per day. As for the seed drill, it is a tried and tested machine that works without any problems.  

The data and technical featrues most important of the tractor are: 

• AGCO Power 7.4-litre 6-cylinder engine.
• Power ratings: from 205HP to 305HP.
• Transmissions: Dyna-7, Dyna E-Power and Dyna-VT (Fendt).
• Maximum Lift Capacity (kg): 10,000 kg lift capacity.
• Operator environment: Efficient and Exclusive.
• Hydraulic pump up to 205 l/min (1,650 rpm) with Closed Centre Load Sensing.
• Up to 8 electrical spool valves.
• Farming Technology 4.0: MF Guide system, MF Section & Rate Control, MF Task Doc Pro, MF Next Management FMIS and Fieldstar 5 terminal.
• Cab: 3.4m3 space, 6.6m2 glass surface and 68dB.
• NovAtel® and Trimble® GPS receivers systems.
• 3.05m wheelbase and 5.7m turning radius.
• Minimum weight of 10,000kg and Maximum Gross vehicle weight of 16,000kg.

We have to admit that we only looked at the tractor, as it was the first 8S we had seen working in a "real" field, far from fairs and demonstrations and we have to admit that we were impressed. If we have to make any improvements, perhaps the GPS screen (Datatronic 5) was too small with a dark interface... There is room for improvement, but the tractor is a premium tractor in every way. 

Versión en español.