According to figures released by the AEA the number of agricultural tractors registered in February 2022 was again slightly lower than in the same month last year, as supply chain disruptions continue to delay the delivery of machines to end customers.

At 571 units, 4% fewer tractors were registered during the month than in February 2021 but this year’s number was marginally above the average for the time of year in the previous five years.

Stephen Howarth, agricultural economist at the AEA, said, "After a sharper fall in the opening month of the year, registrations for the year to date were 9% down on the first two months of 2021 [at 1071 units].

"The opening two months are always a quiet time of year for registrations and we will get more of an idea of the underlying situation in March, which is usually the peak month."