(NAFB.com) – Ag tractor and combine sales posted their first decline in March since July 2021, according to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers.

U.S. total farm tractor sales fell 21.1 percent for the month of March compared to 2021. U.S. combine sales for the month dropped 10.2 percent to 343 units sold. Total farm tractor sales are now down 7.9 percent year-to-date, while combines sales are down 19.2 percent.

In Canada, sales fell in all segments for a 5.1 percent decline in total farm tractor sales. Combine sales were down as well in Canada, falling 36.8 percent to 60 units sold. Year-to-date farm tractor unit sales are down a slight 0.7 percent in Canada, while harvesters are down 36.2 percent.

AEM’s Curt Blades says they expected the declines, adding, “Inventory levels are down more than ten percent in both the U.S. and Canada, and this is the result of supply chain difficulties catching up with this segment of the manufacturing industry.”