The strong performance of Hawke's Bay's agriculture and horticulture sectors are having a know-on effect of driving up sales of new tractors.
The NZ Tractor and Machinery Association (TAMA) reports that sales of new tractors in Hawke's Bay have risen 10 per cent and TAMA president Roger Nehof that boded well for the farm and primary sectors.
Hawkes Bay experienced slightly increased sales of 10 per cent indicating stability in the horticulture, arable farming and viticulture sectors, despite a wet and cold winter.
Mr Nehoff said Nationally, in the year to date (end of October) the total number of tractor sales was up about 11 per cent on the year before with some regions up by 45 to 50 per cent. Overall sales were 3164, compared with 2849 for the same period in 2016 and 2978 in 2015.
In addition, the total number of people employed in the tractor and farm machinery sales and servicing sector had increased by more than 350 since 2015 and was now at 2846.