South Africa’s agricultural machinery market has started 2026 on a positive note, with tractor and combine harvester sales rising amid expanded crop plantings, favourable rainfall and improved farmer finances.
South Africa’s agricultural machinery market has begun 2026 on a positive note, continuing the strong momentum recorded in the previous year.
According to the latest data released by the South African Agricultural Machinery Association (SAMAA), tractor sales reached 669 units in February 2026, representing a 5% increase year-on-year. Combine harvester sales stood at 19 units, marking a 63% increase compared with the previous month. February performance follows an already positive uptick recorded in January.
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The strong start to the year builds on a robust 2025 performance, when tractor sales totalled 7 668 units, reflecting a 19% increase compared with 2024. During the same period, combine harvester sales reached 207 units, up 3% from the previous year.
Expansion In Crop Plantings Supports Machinery Demand
Several factors are supporting the continued demand for agricultural machinery. These include the expansion in summer grains and oilseeds plantings during the 2025–26 season, as well as improved farm finances following the strong 2024–25 agricultural season, particularly in field crops, horticulture and wine grape production.
South Africa’s 2025–26 summer grains and oilseeds planting area is estimated at 4.62 million hectares, representing a 4% increase from the previous season. The crop mix includes maize, sunflower, soybeans, groundnuts, sorghum and dry beans.
Favourable Rainfall Lifts Production Outlook
Early indications for the season remain encouraging. Favourable rainfall across key crop-producing regions has supported positive production prospects. The first production estimate for the 2025–26 season places total output for summer grains and oilseeds at 19.82 million tonnes.
Although this figure is 3% lower than the 2024–25 season, it still represents a strong production outlook. The previous season produced the second-largest harvest on record, meaning that a slightly smaller crop this year is not viewed as a cause for concern.
Positive Outlook For Machinery Sales In 2026
Wandile Sihlobo, Chief Economist at the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz), says the positive production outlook is likely to support continued demand for machinery.
“Given the promising agricultural season and relatively favourable farm finances following the strong 2024–25 production year, agricultural machinery sales are likely to remain firm in 2026,” Sihlobo says.
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He adds that while global geopolitical risks, particularly tensions in the Middle East, could pose broader economic challenges, financing conditions are expected to remain supportive.
“The cost of capital may remain reasonably affordable in the coming months, which should support farmers’ investment decisions and reinforce the positive outlook for agricultural machinery sales this year,” he notes.
Overall, the combination of favourable weather conditions, expanding crop plantings and relatively strong farm income suggests that South Africa’s agricultural machinery market could continue to experience solid demand throughout 2026.
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