MILWAUKEE — Overall unit sales of agricultural tractors and self-propelled combines in July 2020 were positive for the fourth month in a row in the U.S., and remained positive for the second consecutive month in Canada according to the latest data from the Assn. of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM).

U.S. total farm tractor sales rose 34.1% in July compared to 2019 while U.S. June self-propelled combine sales grew 33.6%. Four-wheel-drive tractors continued their decline in unit sales in the U.S. in July, falling 21.2% in July and 12.8% year-to-date. Total YTD sales of all farm tractor are up 14% in 2020, while combines broke into positive territory for the first time in 2020, now up 4.1% in the same period.

For Canada, July tractor sales grew across every segment, leading to an overall gain of tractor sales of 33%. That puts YTD unit sales for farm tractors up 4.8%, while combines monthly sales growth of more than 41% cut total YTD losses nearly in half to 16.8%.

“We’re continuing to see demand in the small, medium, and harvesting sectors,” said Curt Blades, senior vice president of Ag Services at the Assn. of Equipment Manufacturers. “The continuously-developing nature of the COVID-19 situation, and its effect on the agricultural sector, is keeping our optimism cautious. Growth in the U.S. market has outpaced the 5-year average each month, so we’re hoping that continues.”