A cold shower for the second-hand machinery market: farmers are putting their purchases on hold, but there is an explanation for this
The Polish market for used tractors started 2026 on a significantly weaker note than a year ago. During the first five months of the year, 8,832 used tractors were registered in the country – 12.5 per cent fewer than during the same period in 2025. The market contraction indicates that farmers remain cautious about investing in machinery, whilst high financing costs and an uncertain economic environment are having a direct impact on decisions to renew their fleets.
„John Deere“ tractors account for the largest share of used machinery registrations. In the first five months of 2025 alone, 1,670 used “John Deere” tractors were registered in Poland, with a market share of 16.5 per cent. The brand’s position is particularly strong in the 11–20-year-old machinery segment, where its share exceeds 22 per cent.
An analysis of the age structure of used tractors shows that the market is still dominated by older machinery. Most registrations are for tractors over 20 years old, but machines aged 11–20 years also account for a significant proportion.
Younger tractors, aged 3–10 years, account for a significantly smaller share of the market, but it is precisely in this segment that greater competition is observed between “Fendt”, ‘Claas’ and ‘Case IH’. For example, in the category of used tractors aged 6–10 years, ‘Fendt’ accounts for more than a fifth of the market.
It is also important to note that the supply of used machinery in Poland remains heavily dependent on imports. The vast majority of registered used tractors come from foreign markets, whilst locally sourced machinery accounts for a relatively small proportion. This indicates that the flow of used machinery from Western European countries continues to be one of the most important factors determining market supply and price trends.
Meanwhile, the new tractor segment is showing a completely different trend. In 2025, new tractor registrations in Poland grew at a double-digit rate, with annual growth exceeding 25 per cent in some periods. This suggests that some farmers, taking advantage of support schemes and better financing options, are opting for new rather than used machinery. This trend may be one of the reasons why the market for used machinery has lost some of its buyers in recent months.
According to market experts, the used tractor segment remains particularly important for medium-sized and smaller farms, for which the prices of new machinery are often out of reach. However, buyers are becoming increasingly discerning – priority is given to well-known brands, a clear service history and more economical models. As a result, manufacturers such as “John Deere”, ‘Fendt’, ‘Massey Ferguson’, ‘Claas’ and ‘Case IH’ retain a high residual value even after many years of use.
If current trends continue, 2026 could mark the second consecutive year of decline for the used agricultural machinery market.
