US agricultural equipment manufacturers are expecting an easing of domestic sales as other key world markets remain healthy.
US domestic agricultural equipment sales are tipped to slow from 2012 to 2014, with exports to increase, according to data from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers.
The business outlook predicts unit sales in the next three years. The results come after stronger 2011 sales on the back of high commodity prices, low interest and increased exports.
The survey predicts the agricultural machinery business to grow by 4.9 per cent in 2012, but slow to 2.9 per cent in 2013 compared with 6.4 per cent in 2011.
AEM's Charlie O'Brien told farmindustrynews.com the US economy "had stalled in recent months and we are always aware of the potential for boom-and-bust cycles. Manufacturers are assessing any possible slowdowns in domestic demand as well as overseas".
Projected US combine sales are expected to fall 4.8 per cent in 2012.
4WD tractor sales are set to stabilise in 2012 and drop 2 per cent in 2013 and 4.8 per cent in 2014. Gains are predicted of 2.8 per cent this year and 1.3 per cent in 2013 for those over 74kW.
Ag Equipment Intelligence said healthy US crop prices supported a solid 2011 sales year, while the other largest markets for equipment, the EU, CIS (including Russia) and Brazil all experienced strong results. Signed pointed to a strong 2012.
In Europe and the CIS, markets remain healthy regardless of wider economic issues and ag equipment sales are reported to have increased 16 per cent in 2011.
In Germany, ag equipment sales hit a record in 2011 - more than 25 per cent over 2010 results. In France, the market was up more than 20 per cent in the same period.
In Russia, the market was below peaks of recent years, but pent-up demand was tipped to fuel an expected 5 per cent rise in unit sales in 2012 coming after a 12 per cent rise in 2011.
