Brussels, 30 October 2013 - The manufacturers of tractors and combine harvesters are satisfied with the current economic situation. At the bi-annual meeting of the CEMA Product Group for large tractors and combine harvesters in Brussels on 17 October the manufacturers reported on slightly declining sales in Europe. However, sales are at a comparatively high level and manufacturers hope to be able to keep this level in the coming year.
Christoph Wigger, Vice President of sales and marketing for Region 2 at John Deere, was elected as Chairman of the CEMA Product Group for large tractors and combine harvesters
Manufacturers expect a decline of the European tractor market by about five percent to 174,000 units for 2013. This would be a continuation of the trend for the whole year, as it had already been showing in the first eight months. "Some markets remain difficult, such as Italy and Poland, while there are signs of a recovery in other countries. For instance, new registrations in the UK and Spain were above last year´s level", explained Christoph Wigger, Chairman of the CEMA Product Group.
Christoph Wigger, Vice President of sales and marketing for Region 2 at John Deere, was confirmed as Chairman of the group for a further three years in a regular election.
Besides tractors, the discussion also focused on the market situation for combine harvesters. For Europe, the sales season 2012/2013 was completed with a sales volume at previous year´s level. There was a particularly strong demand from the French arable farmers, so that here the market increased by 13 percent to over 2,500 machines. Germany, the second largest combine harvester market with 2,050 units remained unchanged compared to the long-term average level. The Polish market, which now stands in third place in Europe, was also stable against the other market trend.
The CEMA Product Groups bring together representatives of leading European manufacturers in defined areas. Currently, there are Product Groups for large tractors and combine harvesters, fertilizing technology, plant protection, seeding and tillage equipment. The main focus is placed on the joint assessment of the market based on own statistics. Prerequisite for participation is membership in a national industry association, who belongs to the umbrella organization CEMA.
