According to data released by the AEA registrations of agricultural tractors in the UK returned to year-on-year growth in September.

The Association said the 1,033 machines recorded during the month was 11% more than at the same time last year, although it was still a little below the five-year average for the time of year.

Agricultural economist at the AEA, Stephen Howarth, explained, "Compared with 2025, the growth rate has slowed as the year has progressed. Only 7% more tractors were registered in the third quarter of 2026 than 12 months before; in the first half of the year, the market increased by 22%. Nevertheless, the number of tractors registered this year has already reached 95% of last year's total, with three months of 2026 remaining."

Stephen continued, "The number of tractors registered in the last 12 months (October 2025 - September 2024) topped 10,000 machines for the first time since the year ending in February 2025. That is still towards the bottom end of the range seen historically, though, indicating that the recovery remains slow and partial, with confidence remaining low across UK farming."