Despite the tough spring and drop in many farm commodity prices, the Irish agricultural machinery market in 2026 has outperformed the expectations of many, particularly in terms of grassland equipment sales.

Dealers, manufacturers and machinery importers have said that the mood amongst the majority of farmers and contractors in 2026 has been positive towards machinery investment.

The positivity in the sector is predominantly associated with grassland farmers, which was initially linked to the high farmgate prices for livestock in 2025.

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However, for the most part, tillage equipment sales continue to be under pressure, off the back of low grain prices.

Irish performing better than Europe

“On the back of a very good year of machinery sales in 2025 in Ireland, we didn’t think we could repeat it again in 2026. We were expecting a fallback in 2026, but instead, it has been every bit as good as 2025 – if not better,” explained Philip English, from Kverneland Group Ireland.

The sales of tillage equipment in Ireland are holding their own

“The positivity in machinery sales in Ireland can also be seen in the Nordic countries, but the markets are much more depressed across central Europe. This seems to be down to the split of grass to arable farming, which in Ireland and the Nordics is anything from 70:30 to 90:10, whereas this could be 70:30 arable to grass in many central European countries for example.

“In saying that, the sales of tillage equipment in Ireland are holding their own, but given the tough market conditions, they aren’t going to set any records. The TAMS grant aid funding is helping to maintain tillage equipment sales, as is the grass reseeding equipment buyers. Overall, I would describe the 2026 machinery market as being very healthy, with low stock levels sitting in dealers’ yards,” added Philip.

Forager sales are up

“In the autumn of 2024, we forecasted that the 2025 Irish machinery sales would be down by an average of 40% on 2024 figures. The opposite happened and 2025 completely surprised us, with sales ending up increasing 10% on the year previous. The start to 2026 was very strong, coming off the back of high livestock prices achieved in 2025.

In terms of grass machinery sales, 2026 has been very positive

“Forage harvester sales were again very strong this year, and will be at least on par if not above 2025 figures. The tractor market started off very strong in 2026, but has slowed in May and June. Overall, we expect the tractor market to be on par with 2025, which was up 14% on 2024.

“It’s still early to say until registrations confirm, but the combine market will be down by around one third. This is no surprise based on grain prices.

“In terms of grass machinery sales, 2026 has been very positive. There was a surge in sales last backend and up to March, then it hit a lull from mid-March until mid-May, when the prolonged wet spell drove sales. The biggest trend we have observed is that more farmers are buying bigger tractors for pulling big slurry tankers, etc, and these farmers are tending to buy bigger mowing setups. Overall, 2025 sales have been good. Things have quietened off at the minute, but that’s very normal for this time of the year,” explained Karol Duigenan from Claas.

Skewed but steady start

“Business has been a little skewed for the first half of the year, between the significant hike in fuel costs and the protests that followed, along with the tough spring, left farmers and contractors a little hesitant to do business ahead of the silage season. A good number of these customers have since made enquires and bought machines, albeit later than a typical year.

We’ve had a strong number of farmer enquiries for traditional-type turntable wrappers too which wasn’t really expected

“Our product lines, in particular the trailed and mounted wrapper ranges, tend to sell well during wetter summers which we would have noticed based on enquires from April until just before the last spell of good weather – there was concern that working windows may be tight and that ground conditions may prove challenging.

“We’ve had a strong number of farmer enquiries for traditional-type turntable wrappers too which wasn’t really expected,” said Michael Dollard from Tanco.

“Bale shears are looking steady for the 2026 winter feeding season, again driven by the TAMS III grant aid. All our dealers have placed strong stock orders.

“By the time the National Ploughing Championships come around we’d expect 2026 to be on par with 2025,” Michael added.