For the most part, the Irish agricultural machinery market in 2025 is exceeding all expectations, particularly in terms of grassland equipment sales. Dealers, manufacturers and machinery importers have said that the mood amongst the majority of farmers and contractors in 2025 has been very positive towards machinery investment.
The positivity in the sector is predominantly associated with grassland farmers, which is linked to the high farmgate prices for livestock in 2025.
However, for the most part, tillage equipment sales continue to be under pressure, off the back of the low forecasted grain prices.
Sales up 10%
“Last autumn, we sat down to do figures and we forecasted the 2025 Irish machinery market sales to be down by an average of 40% on 2024 figures. The year has completely surprised us, with current figures showing sales are up 10% on 2024.
“Forage harvester sales are very strong, and will be at least on par if not above 2024 figures.
“The tractor market in general was expected to be down 30%, but it seems that we won’t see than initial forecasted decrease.
“The combine market for us is the only segment that is running a bit quieter, but that was what we had anticipated.
“The combine market will probably be down 10 to 15%,” explained Karol Duigenan from Claas.
“We cut back production for 2025 on the back of a widely anticipated dip in the marketplace. Like most grassland manufacturers, you could almost say we got caught on the hop.
At the FTMTA show last November, we were getting very good vibes about the potential in 2025 and this year-to-date has been brilliant. We have sold more trailed mowers in 2025 than we have sold in the last three or four years in total.
“I’d say we are experiencing one of our best years of sales ever in Northern Ireland. One thing about the Irish farmer is that when farmgate prices are good, they will re-invest.
“The New Zealand and American markets are also doing very well, but the UK and parts of Europe seem to be struggling a bit,” explained Fearghail Connolly from Malone Farm Machinery.
'I’d say we are experiencing one of our best years of sales ever in Northern Ireland.'
Farmers buying bigger kit
“We noticed a big improvement in the Irish marketplace from July/August in 2024 onwards, and this has continued into 2025. The mood amongst farmers has been very positive and Irish sales are ahead of 2024 figures to date. We see labour shortages, succession and legislation weighing in on buying decisions, with farmers buying bigger kit to get over ground faster.
“Where many farmers and contractors were running 3m machines, a large proportion are transitioning towards 5m machines which is driving sales. The Irish visitors to the Highland Show and Cereals in recent weeks were very positive, but the mood in the UK is very mixed at the minute,” noted Derek Delahunty from Lemken.
'The Irish visitors to the Highland Show and Cereals in recent weeks were very positive, but the mood in the UK is very mixed at the minute.'
For the most part, the Irish agricultural machinery market in 2025 is exceeding all expectations, particularly in terms of grassland equipment sales. Dealers, manufacturers and machinery importers have said that the mood amongst the majority of farmers and contractors in 2025 has been very positive towards machinery investment.
The positivity in the sector is predominantly associated with grassland farmers, which is linked to the high farmgate prices for livestock in 2025.
However, for the most part, tillage equipment sales continue to be under pressure, off the back of the low forecasted grain prices.
Sales up 10%
“Last autumn, we sat down to do figures and we forecasted the 2025 Irish machinery market sales to be down by an average of 40% on 2024 figures. The year has completely surprised us, with current figures showing sales are up 10% on 2024.
“Forage harvester sales are very strong, and will be at least on par if not above 2024 figures.
“The tractor market in general was expected to be down 30%, but it seems that we won’t see than initial forecasted decrease.
“The combine market for us is the only segment that is running a bit quieter, but that was what we had anticipated.
“The combine market will probably be down 10 to 15%,” explained Karol Duigenan from Claas.
“We cut back production for 2025 on the back of a widely anticipated dip in the marketplace. Like most grassland manufacturers, you could almost say we got caught on the hop.
At the FTMTA show last November, we were getting very good vibes about the potential in 2025 and this year-to-date has been brilliant. We have sold more trailed mowers in 2025 than we have sold in the last three or four years in total.
“I’d say we are experiencing one of our best years of sales ever in Northern Ireland. One thing about the Irish farmer is that when farmgate prices are good, they will re-invest.
“The New Zealand and American markets are also doing very well, but the UK and parts of Europe seem to be struggling a bit,” explained Fearghail Connolly from Malone Farm Machinery.
'I’d say we are experiencing one of our best years of sales ever in Northern Ireland.'
Farmers buying bigger kit
“We noticed a big improvement in the Irish marketplace from July/August in 2024 onwards, and this has continued into 2025. The mood amongst farmers has been very positive and Irish sales are ahead of 2024 figures to date. We see labour shortages, succession and legislation weighing in on buying decisions, with farmers buying bigger kit to get over ground faster.
“Where many farmers and contractors were running 3m machines, a large proportion are transitioning towards 5m machines which is driving sales. The Irish visitors to the Highland Show and Cereals in recent weeks were very positive, but the mood in the UK is very mixed at the minute,” noted Derek Delahunty from Lemken.
'The Irish visitors to the Highland Show and Cereals in recent weeks were very positive, but the mood in the UK is very mixed at the minute.'
This is a subscriber-only article
SHARING OPTIONS: