Results of the latest Agritech Business Barometer Survey will assist participating AEM members in planning their global business efforts in the months ahead.
Agrievolution Alliance, a global coalition of agriculture equipment manufacturing associations for which AEM serves as the secretariat, announced the results of the October 2013 Agritech survey on November 12, 2013 at the Agritechnica exposition in Hanover, Germany.
Overall Outlook Remains Positive
Equipment manufacturers and importers responding to the survey said that in general, the global outlook for agricultural machinery markets remain positive.
Sales went up during the past three months in most markets compared to rather flat sales during the first half of this year. On a global average, 45 percent of manufacturers expect further growth in sales revenues for the coming six months, while 37 percent anticipate sales to remain at the current level and only 18 percent expect decreasing sales.
According to the survey, above average growth will occur in China, Brazil and Turkey for the next months, based on a higher order stock level. Agricultural policy programs play a certain role for this development. The European market seems to be flat or slightly decreasing for the coming months. As usual, the regional development within the continent will vary.
Automation Continues as Key Driver
Despite current good conditions, some manufacturers mention challenges the farming sector in their countries face on the global commodity markets. Equipment financing is also an issue for farmers to some extent.
On the other hand, in the mid-term view, mechanization and automation in the field and for animal housing will continue as a major driver for demand of new agricultural machinery.
Survey Looks at Global Market Trends
The Agrievolution Alliance economic committee created the Agritech Business Barometer Survey to provide member associations and participating companies with accurate, timely global market trend data for agricultural machinery.
Senior-level managers at agricultural equipment manufacturers are asked by their member associations to complete an online survey about their current business situation and the outlook for their respective markets.
The Agritech Business Barometer Survey is conducted twice each year, in April and October. Participants receive a complete, exclusive report. A public version of the report is available on the Agrievolution website at www.agrievolution.com.