Market Trends of Europe Haying & Forage Machinery Industry
Mowers Dominates The Market
Europe is experiencing an increase in the cultivation of forage crops such as Alfalfa, Forage corn, Forage Sorghum, and Rye, driven by rising livestock production. According to the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), Russia and Poland are the largest cultivators of Rye in the region, with 0.88 million hectares and 0.66 million hectares respectively in 2022. The cultivation of oats in Europe reached 14.3 million metric tons in 2022, a 5.2% increase from the previous year's volume of 13.6 million metric tons.
The growth in this sector is fueled by increasing demand for sustainable and environmentally friendly animal food sources, coupled with rising awareness and adoption of farm equipment. Mowers are the most commonly used machinery for harvesting hay and forage crops in Europe. These machines are primarily used for harvesting corn silage and forage crops, cutting the stems of standing vegetation to produce hay. In 2024, Massey Ferguson expanded its hay and forage equipment line by introducing 12 new, heavy-duty butterfly mowers in the European region.
Government-organized events are contributing to increased mower adoption in the region. For example, in July 2024, the fourth National Hay Mowing Championship took place in the meadows of the Nemunas Delta in the village of Rupkalviai. This event not only allowed participants to compete against the best and fastest hay mowers but also provided opportunities to improve their knowledge of hay mower usage and learn about trading in the industry.
Germany Dominates the Market
Germany cultivates forage crops across extensive areas, necessitating significant labor for harvesting and baling operations. Farmers are increasingly adopting agricultural mechanization as a more cost-effective and efficient alternative to manual labor. This shift towards machinery aims to save time and resources, ultimately enhancing farm productivity and crop yields per acre.
The country is currently experiencing an acute shortage of farm labor. According to the German Association of Agricultural Employers (GLFA), the number of seasonal immigrant workers during peak harvest times in Germany has decreased significantly in recent years, partly due to the Ukraine war. This labor shortage has further accelerated the adoption of farm machinery. The growing production of forage crops, indicated by increased imports of forage seeds, coupled with the declining labor force, has led to greater mechanization in various forage crop operations.
Germany ranks as the world's third-largest producer of agricultural machinery, following the United States and China. In 2022, the domestic market value for agricultural machinery in Germany reached approximately USD 7.8 billion (EUR 7.5 billion). The increasing need to boost agricultural productivity and the adoption of smart farming practices are driving the growth of the agricultural machinery market during the forecast period.
