How do the current conditions (drought) impact the market in respect of sales?
With a dry 2017 behind us and a dry beginning to the 2018 season, sales have been slow thus far. A number of our customers received approximately 50% of their normal annual rainfall and this trend will probably continue in 2018. The total yield for the 2017 season was approximately 40% lower than the previous year.
What measures or strategy do you propose to survive the challenges?
With all the new farming practices and technology in the precision farming area, I think the necessary resources are available to help farmers to be more productive.
Is there a prospect of any interesting models or new machinery?
We are waiting for the new S700 Series harvester and would like to see how this range will build on the success thus far with the S600 Series harvester.
What advice would you give a buyer when it comes to purchases?
I always try to determine whether a customer would buy a larger planter or implement in 2 to 3 years' time and would then recommend that he purchases a larger model than the one he currently requires.
What is your general view of the year 2018?
With the current drought and all the stories in the media regarding land expropriation without compensation, I think that 2018 will be a year in which people will be prudent and will merely try to survive.