With 2025 recording a total of 8,791 machines – which the Agricultural Engineers Association (AEA) reported as the lowest figure since it began recording registrations in the 1960s, and likely the lowest level since before World War II – the outlook for 2026 remained muted.
Amid a combination of looming inheritance tax (IHT) changes and reduced profitability in some agricultural sectors, the results for January and February followed a similar pattern to 2025, albeit with a slight increase in new tractor demand.
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However, March 2026 figures present a very different picture, with a total of 2,134 machines registered. This represents a 45.6% increase compared to March 2025 (1,466 units), and brings the year-to-date total from January to March to 2,992 machines – a 34.3% rise compared to the same period in 2025 (2,228 units).
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This result is slightly above the five-year average for the time of year and reflects the typical seasonal peak in registrations, as many businesses invest in machinery ahead of the end of the financial year, alongside the need to take delivery of new machines before spring cultivation, drilling and grass harvest operations.
AEA figures for machine registrations show a significant growth in machine numbers for March 2026
To a lesser extent, the introduction of the new ‘26' registration plate will also have played a role, with many dealers aiming to align demonstration fleets with the latest plate designation.
Commenting on the increase, AEA agricultural economist Stephen Howarth said: "Having been below the seasonal average throughout 2025 and in the opening two months of this year, agricultural tractor registrations performed much better in March.
"A total of 2,134 machines were logged during the month, up by nearly half compared with March 2025, and slightly above the average for the time of year over the previous five years.
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"March is usually the peak month for registrations, and this year seems to be no exception. The monthly total was the highest for three years, as was the number of machines registered in the first quarter, which reached nearly 3,000."
As with all monthly registration figures released by the AEA, the data only covers machines above 50hp registered with the DVLA and will include machines that have not necessarily been sold to end users which incorporates demonstration units and pre-registered stock held by dealers and distributors.
