FederUnacoma: growing commitment to agro-mechanics

The economic crisis that hit the agricultural machinery sector in 2024, with production and exports falling in double figures, does not overshadow the strategic role that the sector is called upon to play in the medium to long term. Faced with a growing global demand for food, which requires higher standards of efficiency, quality and sustainability, agriculture and agro-industry remain crucial areas, increasingly interconnected with digital technologies and artificial intelligence. Hence FederUnacoma's decision to invite all three of the country's agricultural associations - Coldiretti, Confagricoltura and Cia - around the table at its general assembly, held yesterday in Bologna, to discuss the challenges of the supply chain together. It was also an opportunity to celebrate together the 80th birthday of the National Federation of Agricultural Machinery Manufacturers, one of the most important realities of the Confindustria system, which represents in Italy a sector of 2 thousand companies and over 130 thousand jobs with allied industries.

A falling 2024 in Italy and the world

The figures for 2024 are not, however, to be toasted: Italian agricultural mechanics ended the year with a turnover of 14 billion euro, down 14.5% compared to the previous year, driven downwards by both the downturn in the domestic market, with registrations at an all-time low, and the contraction in exports, which fell to 6.8 billion euro (-15.1%). A result that reflects the difficulties of the sector at global level, amid geopolitical tensions, price instability and tariffs. After the post-pandemic boom of 2021, the global tractor market has in fact started a downward cycle, which in 2024 brought registrations to 2.03 million units on a global scale (-8% on the previous year and -18% compared to the 2021 peak), for a total value of USD 52 billion. "The context in which European and Italian companies operate is really very difficult," explains FederUnacoma president Mariateresa Maschio, "We have to face unpredictable variables on raw materials, energy supplies, and an offensive by emerging countries, which aim to invade markets with products at extremely low prices.

From the collapse behind to the glimmer of late spring

In 2024, Italian tractor production stopped at 1.9 billion euro (-29% compared to 2023), that of spare parts and incomplete tractors at 1.2 billion (-17%). Other agricultural machinery and equipment was worth 6.8 billion (-9%), while components dropped by 17.5% (3.3 billion). The only item in the black (+0.6%) was green care machinery, which reached 905 million. The 15,500 tractors registered in Italy last year also represent one of the lowest levels ever. On the other hand, the first five months of 2025 closed with 6,729 vehicles sold, in line with the same period of the previous year, but with a partial rebound in the April-May two-month period (+9%) that could anticipate a reversal. Among types, there was a positive performance for 'transporters' (+42.1%) and stability for telehandlers and trailers (although combine harvesters fell, -40%).