According to figures released by the AEA, for the second month in a row, UK registrations of agricultural tractors (over 50hp) showed a sharp decline in May 2020.

The monthly total of 586 machines was 42% down on May 2019, a slightly smaller year-on-year decline than was recorded in April.

Stephen Howarth, agricultural economist at the AEA said, "In large part, the recent falls can no doubt be attributed to the continuing effect of Covid-19 and, in particular, the temporary closure of many manufacturing plants across Europe.

"The market may well have been down anyway, though, with the challenging weather conditions of recent months likely to have had an impact on orders from farmers."

May's registrations bring the total for the year to 4,263 machines, 27% down on the first five months of last year and the lowest total for this point in the year since 2001.

The total number of tractors registered over the last 12 months was 10,501, the lowest level the moving annual total has reached since 2016.