Cheffins says almost half of the lots at its Cambridge Monthly Machinery Sale were sold overseas last year.

In total, 3,450 machines including tractors, telehandlers, cultivators, combine harvesters were exported worldwide from the company's saleground at Sutton, near Ely.

These sales to overseas clients were 6.45pc down on 2024, due to "a lack of stock and macro-economic and political factors", says the firm.

While Portugal recorded a "notable" 112pc growth in 2025, mainly due to a better supply of quality used equipment, this was in stark contrast to France, where an 80pc year-on-year sales decline was "understood to be linked to customs challenges and changes in the demand from French buyers, coupled with difficulties importing lower value stock due to increased costs".

Sales to Ukraine also declined as a result of the ongoing conflict, while the introduction of US tariffs in April 2025 led to reduced volumes of tractors and machinery entering the American market.

Around 87pc of exports were to European buyers, buoyed by the strength of the Euro against Sterling, with the remainder sold further afield to areas including Africa and New Zealand.

But older tractors which were being exported to Sudan - previously one of the most active markets for classic and lower-horsepower models - have been significantly affected by the country's civil war.

Cheffins director Joe Page said: "Taking into account the major political uncertainty which has been seen across Europe and further afield, thanks to the war in Ukraine, unrest in the Middle East and localised issues in Northern Africa, the reduction in export at Cheffins has been nominal.”

Mr Page said the costs of transport, customs and cleaning have all had an effect on the second-hand farm machine market, adding: "We have mitigated this as much as possible by offering a full export service including sanitary and phytosanitary cleaning certification, dismantling of machinery for containers and paperwork on behalf of clients."

Total sales at Cheffins' Cambridge Monthly Machinery Sale were £31,797,431 in 2025, excluding on-site dispersal sales hosted nationwide.

Ireland was the biggest export market, with £5.7m of sales, followed by Spain (£3.3m) and Portugal (£1.98m).

Demand from the overseas market continues to be focussed on quality tractors, with a particular preference for John Deere and Fendt models, says Cheffins.

The highest priced tractor sold at Cheffins Monthly Machinery sale in 2025 was a Fendt 942 which fetched £204,000 in October.

© Eastern Daily Press