Overseas shipments rise 13.7 per cent YoY to 9,971 units; established players surrender market share even as export demand broadens

India’s tractor export market gathered momentum in June 2026, with wholesale shipments climbing 13.67 per cent year-on-year to 9,971 units, signalling resilient overseas demand despite an increasingly competitive market. While market leader Sonalika retained its pole position, the month’s biggest story was the dramatic rise of Same Deutz-Fahr (SDF), which emerged as the fastest-growing exporter among major manufacturers. Sonalika shipped 2,565 tractors during the month, a 5.64 per cent increase over June 2025, allowing it to maintain a commanding 25.72 per cent share of India’s tractor exports. However, its market share slipped by nearly two percentage points from 27.68 per cent a year earlier, suggesting that growth is becoming more evenly distributed across the industry.

Mahindra & Mahindra Group remained the second-largest exporter with 1,765 units, registering an 8.75 per cent increase in volumes. Yet its export share declined to 17.70 per cent from 18.50 per cent last year, reflecting intensifying competition despite healthy shipment growth. John Deere delivered one of the strongest performances among established OEMs, with exports rising 11.5 per cent to 1,270 units. Even so, its market share edged lower to 12.74 per cent from 12.98 per cent, highlighting how the overall market expanded faster than individual incumbents.

New Holland also posted steady growth, exporting 1,240 tractors compared with 1,171 units a year earlier. Despite a 5.89 per cent increase in shipments, its market share narrowed from 13.35 per cent to 12.44 per cent. The standout performer was SDF. The company more than doubled its exports to 978 units from 408 units in June 2025, recording an exceptional 139.71 per cent growth. Its market share jumped from 4.65 per cent to 9.81 per cent—the largest gain among all manufacturers—making it one of the month’s biggest beneficiaries of rising international demand. Among mid-sized players, Captain Tractors also delivered an impressive performance, with exports surging 39.19 per cent to 380 units. The company expanded its market share to 3.81 per cent from 3.11 per cent, reinforcing its growing presence in overseas markets.

TAFE Group reported modest volume growth of 1.37 per cent to 960 units but lost more than one percentage point in market share, indicating that its export growth lagged the industry’s overall pace. Escorts Kubota increased exports by 5.19 per cent to 527 units, while Preet recorded a 7.03 per cent rise to 137 units, although both companies ceded marginal market share. At the other end of the spectrum, VST witnessed the sharpest decline among established manufacturers. Exports fell 35.71 per cent to just 90 units, reducing its export share from 1.60 per cent to 0.90 per cent. ACE continued its rapid expansion from a smaller base, posting a 164.29 per cent jump in exports to 37 units, while Indo Farm entered the export market with 22 tractors during the month.

The June numbers suggest that India’s tractor export industry is entering a new phase where overall demand remains robust, but market leadership is becoming increasingly contested. While Sonalika continues to dominate overseas shipments, the rapid rise of challengers such as SDF points to a more competitive export landscape as Indian manufacturers deepen their presence across global agricultural markets.