Cheffins has announced that Q1 sales this year exceeded £12.4m, an increase of 14.5% compared to the same period in 2025.
In total, 4,800 lots were sold across its monthly Cambridge Machinery Sale and its on-site farm auctions, with an average lot price of £2,850.
Export demand has been particularly high, according to the company, with 34% sold at its monthly events to overseas buyers from locations such as Spain, Poland, Ireland, Ukraine and the Netherlands.
To meet this demand, Cheffins processed 240 machines through its specialist washdown facility during the quarter to meet EU phytosanitary regulations.
Of the 3,000 lots sold through the monthly events, there was a notable increase in machinery consigned directly from farm, making up around 25% of lots. Headline prices achieved included:
- £110,000 for a 2022 Horsch Avatar disc drill, which had been consigned straight from a local farm
- £105,000 for a 2023 Case IH 300 Optum tractor
- £62,000 for a 2017 Fendt 724 Profi tractor
- £43,500 for a 2001 John Deere 8410T tractor
- £33,800 for a 2018 Manitou MLT 741—140V telehandler
Joe Page, director at Cheffins, comments: “The first quarter of this year has been mainly characterised by a lack of stock. As farming weathers the shockwaves of the new inheritance tax ruling, a lack of government funding, high input costs and wider macroeconomic uncertainty, we have seen a significant slowdown in new machinery trade-ins.
“This has reduced the volume of equipment entering the auction market. In January, the Agricultural Engineers Association (AEA) reported that new tractor registrations totalled just 8,791 machines in 2025 – down 14 per cent on the previous year and the lowest figure on record. This trend is feeding directly into the second-hand sector, with fewer tractors coming forward for sale.”
“However, while availability has tightened, the quality of machinery on offer has remained exceptionally high. We have seen a marked increase in items consigned direct from farm, which is exactly what both domestic and international buyers are seeking. The Cambridge Monthly Machinery Sale continues to provide a global marketplace, and with our washdown facilities enabling EU export, we are helping farmers release capital quickly while achieving strong returns.”
On-farm sales
There were 12 on-farms during the quarter, with auctions held in Lancashire, Yorkshire, Cambridgeshire and Hampshire. One of the leading events, according to the company, was held on behalf of Baybutt Holdings in Preston, Lancashire.
Highlights from these events included:
- £110,000 for a 2011 John Deere 7530 tractor
- £120,000 for a 1990 Mercedes MB Trac tractor
- £134,000 for a 2010 Fendt 820 Vario tractor
- £93,000 for a 2015 Claas Jaguar 870 tractor
Charles Wadsley, director at Cheffins comments: This quarter has seen a series of high-value on-site sales across the country, driven by a range of factors including retirement, business restructuring and fleet realignment with prices achieved holding firm due to the increasing cost of new machinery. Rising prices have led to farmers and contractors looking to purchase good-quality second-hand machinery in order to reinvest and improve their fleets ahead of the busy spring and summer months.
“A highlight of the first quarter was the auction on behalf of national salad grower, Baybutt Holdings, which saw high prices paid for well-maintained machinery. Looking ahead, we anticipate a busy period of large-scale auctions nationwide, as farmers look to rationalise machinery fleets and release capital ahead of harvest.”