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 October 17 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.

Manufacturers expect a decline of the European tractor market by about 5% 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 8 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 another 3 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% 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. 

CEMA is the association representing the European agricultural machinery industry. With 10 national member associations, the CEMA network represents both large multinational companies and numerous European SMEs active in this sector.

CEMA represents more than 4,500 manufacturers, producing more than 450 different machine types and generating an aggregated annual turnover of more than EUR 28 billion. 135,000 people are directly employed in the sector, with a further 125,000 people working in distribution and maintenance.