The AEA have looked at how registrations so far this year compare with those in 2020, in terms of the power of machines and their distribution across the regions of the UK. Overall, registrations in the opening nine months of 2021 were 19% higher than in the same period last year. By the third quarter, year-on-year growth had slowed to 7%, although that is largely because registrations had begun to recover by this time a year ago.

Across the year to date, registrations were up on 2020 in virtually all power bands, although there was little growth in the 161-200hp band. Growth was particularly strong in the 121-140hp range. This band also saw solid growth in the third quarter but was outpaced by the 201-240hp range, while some power ranges saw fewer registrations this year.

Overall, it appears that the average power of machines registered this year will be slightly lower than a year ago, with the mean figure for January to September 2021 standing at just under 170hp, down from 172.5hp in the same period of 2020.

All regions of the UK have recorded growth in tractor registrations this year, except for Yorkshire & the Humber, where they were almost unchanged from January to September 2020. The strongest growth has been seen in the East Midlands (+62%) and Northern Ireland (+50%).

These regions saw somewhat slower growth in the third quarter, although still above average, when the fastest increase was in the Home Counties, albeit from a low base. As well as Yorkshire, the North West of England and South Wales saw small year-on-year declines in the latest three months.