The latest Farm Tractor and Machinery Trade Association (FTMTA) Statistics Service Report for January 2024 has outlined the current level of vehicle registration activity in the farm machinery sector in Ireland.

The numbers of imported used tractors and machines, registered for the first time in Ireland, declined compared with the same month of January 2024.

382 new tractors were registered during the month, which marks an 11% drop when compared to January 2024.

The FTMTA said there may be a number of reasons for the reduction, including a shorter month for active vehicle registrations, due to longer Christmas holidays and the impact of Storm Éowyn.

Co. Cork had the highest number of new tractor registrations at 54 units, Tipperary was ranked in second place with 45 units, followed by Galway at 28 units.

The most popular power band for 2025 was the 161-200 horsepower (hp) category, which accounted for 28% of all new tractor registrations in January 2025.

Registrations of tractors in the power band between 100hp and 140hp decreased by 5% on the same month last year.

The over 200hp category accounted for 13% of all new tractors, which is similar to January 2024.

The report shows the monthly average tractor horsepower figure for January 2025 increased to 156hp, up from 152hp in January 2024.

The largest tractor registered in Ireland in January 2025 was rated at 411hp.

The FTMTA said that 194 imported used tractors were first-time registered in Ireland in January 2025, eight units less than in January 2024.

The report shows that the Irish market for new telescopic loaders in January 2025 stood at 156 units, down 2.5% on the 160 units reported in January 2024.

The two leading brands JCB and Manitou account for 78% of the total market, while Kramer has grown to a healthy 22% market share.

There were 30 imported used telescopic loaders registered in January 2025, down from 42 a year previously.

The Irish wheeled loader market recorded a lower number of new registrations in January 2025 at 22 units, compared with 35 units in January 2024, which was a market decrease of 59%.

FTMTA said that the market dominance of the smaller Chinese manufactured machines at the lower price and power end of the market now accounts for over 86% of the new wheeled loader registrations in Ireland.

There were just four imported used wheeled loaders registered in January 2025.

10 new backhoe loaders were registered January 2025, which was up 66% in a year. There were three used backhoe loaders registered in the month.

There were 38 new Utility Terrain Vehicles (UTVs) registered in January 2025, with just one used imported UTV registered for the first time for the same month.

The FTMTA Statistics Service Reports are compiled from monthly raw data received from the Irish Revenue Commissioners who are responsible for all first-time registrations of new and used vehicles in Ireland.