Machinery Demand Skyrockets 50% in early 2025
Over 4,100 bidders competed in Ritchie Bros.’ “Start 2025 Strong” campaign for 1,300 farm lots
Ritchie Bros. has experienced strong auction demand during the “Start 2025 Strong” campaign with over 4,100 bidders for agricultural lots across Europe. Over 50 % increase in bidder participation this quarter compared to the same period last year highlights the growing demand and rising global appetite for farm machinery. As demand remains high, equipment owners have a prime opportunity to ‘Sell Smarter This Spring,’ turning unused machinery into capital ahead of the busy season.
As spring progresses, it’s the ideal time to prepare for the crop cycle. Sellers can take advantage of the strong market demand by freeing up capital and clearing space. Those with unused farm machinery can make the most of this opportunity, as the market is rewarding decisive sellers.
“This competitive bidding presents an opportunity for optimal returns for sellers, making this an ideal moment to sell,”says Duncan Ainscough, Head of International Sales at Ritchie Bros.
“Start 2025 Strong” agricultural European campaign at a glance
- Assets sold in Europe: Over 1,300 units, marking a 40% year-on-year growth and a 5-year record!
- Global participation: Attracted over 4,100 bidders and over 830 agricultural buyers from around Europe, marking around a 50% year-over-year increase and a 5-year record.
- Top buyer countries: Spain, Netherlands, Germany and France.
- Most popular farm equipment categories: agricultural tractors, combine headers, cultivators, sprayers, combines.
The performance is driven by Ritchie Bros.’ strategic investments in international marketing and platform reach, which continue to attract sellers seeking strong results and buyers in search of valuable opportunities.
“Our results show what happens when sellers and buyers trust a platform that consistently delivers,” said David Fanning, Director, International Marketing at Ritchie Bros. “We’re not just meeting demand—we’re leading the market with scale, transparency, global reach, reputation and results.”
Rising bids and tight supply make this spring ideal for selling
As spring unfolds, the surge in agricultural equipment demand continues, making this an ideal time to sell. Bidder participation across Ritchie Bros. auctions and Marketplace-E in Europe for the first months of the year has reflected a growing interest in agricultural assets.
The market has seen strong activity in agricultural tractors, combine headers, cultivators, sprayers, and combines. New equipment is achieving record prices in 2025, pushing up the prices of used agricultural machinery as well. Median prices for used agricultural tractors have increased by 31%, reaching approximately £29K, compared to the same period in 2024, highlighting the growing value of quality agricultural equipment.
Top manufacturers for agricultural tractors include John Deere, Fendt, New Holland, Deutz-Fahr, and Case IH.
Germany, France, Italy, and Spain have been key contributors to this growth. Meppen hosted Germany’s largest auction in a decade, attracting over 3,300 registrants. In Italy, tractor sales rose 22% compared to the same period of last year, and agricultural buyers grew by 14%, while Spain saw record increases in both registrants (4%) and bidders (8%). France also saw record bidder (+78%) and buyer (+55%) participation, while the Netherlands set a record with a 160% rise in bidders.
A February off-site sale for ETA SNC MGL sold over 50 farm machinery items got the attention of 530 bidders, primarily from France. The next off-site sale, scheduled for 15th May in Melrand, Brittany, France, will feature assets from the ETA LE GARFF estate as the owner prepares for retirement.
“Sellers are turning to Ritchie Bros. Auctions and Marketplace-E to achieve strong returns.”, said Duncan Ainscough. “Our growing participation confirms that more companies see us as their preferred trusted selling partner.”
For buyers, Ritchie Bros. offers transparency and integrity, including fair market pricing with no seller buy-backs, no hidden re-lists, and no reserve prices—every item is sold to the highest bidder.
As one of the largest equipment marketplaces worldwide, Ritchie Bros. provides wide selection, cross-border reach, and where needed, with logistics support available through our service partners, making equipment sourcing easier and more reliable than ever.
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