Escorts Kubota's Tractor Despatches Down 1.2% In April; Exports Jump 67%

Escorts Kubota Ltd. reported a 1.2% year-on-year decline in tractor despatches for April, attributing the drop to the advancement of the festive season to March. The company had recorded a 15% on-year growth in tractor sales that month.

In April, total wholesale tractor dispatches stood at 8,729 units, compared with 8,839 units a year ago. Domestic sales fell 4.1% to 8,148 units, but exports surged 67% to 581 units.

The company said it expects demand to improve going ahead, supported by favourable macroeconomic factors such as a successful rabi harvest, higher crop prices, and healthy reservoir levels.

Meanwhile, the construction equipment segment struggled, with sales falling 14% on year to 400 units in April. Escorts Kubota said the sector is facing retail demand pressure due to new emission norms, but expects recovery in the second half of the fiscal as infrastructure investments continue and inventory of older models is cleared.