The CEMA Business Climate Index for agricultural machinery in Europe fell from +9 in November to +4 in December (on a scale of -100 to +100).
The outlook for the next six months is responsible for the decline, as the current business situation is assessed similarly to the previous month. Tractor (-10) and harvesters (-12) manufacturers see a deterioration in the current situation. In terms of sales expectations, one in five tractor manufacturers and one in four harvesters manufacturers anticipate a decline. The index for manufacturers of arable equipment is in positive territory at +1, as the current business situation is assessed more positively than in the previous month.
A comparison of countries shows a slight improvement for the current situation in Germany and France, while in Spain the situation has deteriorated. Export business has been improving
continuously for three months due to an improved order situation from outside the EU. Australia and New Zealand are expected to be areas of growth, ahead of Western Europe and Africa. As expected, this is to compensate for the decline in the US.
Overall, the economic clock continues to tick in the field of an upturn, without any discernible signs of entering a growth phase.
