Total farm tractor sales dropped 21.6% while combine sales plummeted 56.1% year-over-year, reflecting farmer financial stress and market uncertainty
U.S. tractor sales were down 21.6% and combine sales decreased 56.1% year-over-year in May 2026, according to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM). The sharp decline reflects ongoing uncertainty in the agricultural sector, with farmers facing depressed commodity prices and financial strain.
Canadian sales of combines were 80, down 56.5% from 184 in May 2025. Canadian tractor sales were 1,976 for May, down 17% from May 2025.
Industry reaction
“The May reports reflect the ongoing uncertainty and softness in this market,” said Curt Blades, senior vice president at AEM. “Farmers are hurting, and equipment sales numbers are a clear indication of the overall health of the farm economy and depressed commodity prices. America’s farmers and ranchers need long-term trade certainty and public policies that help them stay profitable and resilient.”
Tractor sales breakdown
Total farm tractor sales for May 2026 were 16,815, down 21.6% from May 2025 with 21,461 sold. Year to date, AEM reports 70,779 total farm tractors were sold as of May this year, down 12.4% from this time last year.
2WD Sub-40 HP Tractors: Sales in May were down 24.7% from 2025, with 11,415 sales this year and 15,155 last year. Year to date, sales in this category are down 14.1%.
2WD 40- to 100-HP Tractors: Sales in May were down 15.4%, with 3,986 sales this year, and 4,714 last year. Year to date, sales are down 4.9%.
2WD 100-Plus HP Tractors: Sales in May were down 10.3%, with 1,270 sales this year, compared with 1,416 last year. Year to date, sales are down 17.9%.
4WD Tractors: Sales were down 18.2% in May, with 144 sales this year, and 176 last year. Year to date, sales are down 23.6%.
Combine sales
Sales for self-propelled combines in the U.S. were down 56.1% in May, with 138 sold this year compared with 314 last year. Year to date, AEM reports 1,066 combines have been sold as of May, down 14.6% from 1,248 at the same time last year.
What the data shows
The sharp decline in equipment sales across all horsepower categories highlights the financial pressure on U.S. farmers. The 56.1% drop in combine sales is particularly notable, as combines are a major capital investment typically purchased during periods of higher farm income and confidence.
The inventory levels also suggest cautious dealer behavior, with total farm tractor inventory beginning at 94,191 in May. The data comes from AEM members who provide sales numbers from their dealers through proprietary reporting programs.
