Ag Tire Market Could Rebound

When it comes to the ag tire market, there's reason for optimism in 2026, say tire manufacturers, who share their thoughts in this MTD exclusive.

GAVIN BROUSSARD, NATIONAL SALES HEAD, APOLLO TYRES LTD: We expect stabilization once inventories rebalance. And we are optimistic that the tariff situation will resolve, with more trade deals being worked upon.

ALAN ESKOW, HEAD OF REPLACEMENT SALES, BKT USA INC.: At BKT, we remain optimistic about the future, as the replacement ag tire market is expected to perform well in 2026. Key trends - such as the increased adoption of high-tech radial and VF (very high-flexion) tires, central tire inflation systems and the growing size and power of agricultural machinery - offer strong growth opportunities. Additionally, OE sales are expected to rebound by mid-year as developments in administration policies will provide farmers with some relief, enabling them to accelerate equipment upgrades.

RYAN LOETHEN, PRESIDENT, CEAT SPECIALTY TIRES, NORTH AMERICA: Farmers hanging onto their tractors and other equipment longer will continue in 2026 and that’s creating real momentum in the replacement tire market. It’s a great time for ag tire dealers who understand their customers’ needs.

TONY CRESTA, DIRECTOR OF PRODUCT MANAGEMENT, CMA: We are cautiously optimistic. Improved farm income and easing financial pressures could lift replacement demand, with OE following along with the equipment cycle. Corn and soybean exports have weakened in 2025 and any rebound would provide much-needed relief for farmers. Strengthening commodity prices after three years of decline since 2022 would support both replacement and OE tire markets.

JAMEY SMART, VICE PRESIDENT, NORTH AMERICA, FIRESTONE AG: We see reasons for cautious optimism as we look toward 2026. As dealer and OEM inventories normalize, replacement demand is expected to rebound, particularly as equipment purchased during the strong years of 2022 and 2023 begins to age and accumulates more hours. If interest rates ease and farmer profitability improves, we anticipate renewed investment across the ag sector, lifting both replacement and OE activity.

CHRIS RICE, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES, GALILEO WHEEL: I’m cautiously optimistic about 2026. Conditions will stay challenging, but several indicators point toward an inflection point. Agricultural markets run in cycles. After strong demand through COVID-19 and the period following, we’ve seen corrections throughout 2024 and into 2025. Economic forecasts suggest we’re getting near the end of this downturn, with pent-up demand starting to build.

GREG GILLAND, VICE PRESIDENT, GLOBAL AGRICULTURE, MAXAM TIRE NORTH AMERICA: There is no crystal ball that can truly predict what the market will be like in 2026. However, there is some guarded optimism in the market due to the following business conditions that are fueling opportunity. Overall fuel expense and costs are significantly lower ... with the expectation of further improvement in 2026. Fertilizer costs are still high versus the five-year average, but significantly lower than the extreme peaks faced in 2021 through 2023. Crop prices are still well above the five-to 10-average and there is no expectation that crops will go back to the days of $3 corn or $7 soybean bushels of yesteryear.

PAUL HAWKINS, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, AFTERMARKET SALES, TITAN INTERNATIONAL INC.: There are reasons to be optimistic about the future of the ag tire market. Replacement demand is likely to recover in the near future, as many farmers have deferred tire purchases over the past two years — despite planting the same number of acres and maintaining full farming activity — making replacement both necessary and inevitable.

TOM RODGERS, COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR, AG, NORTH AMERICA, YOKOHAMA TWS: While challenges such as tariffs, input costs and moderate commodity prices will likely persist into 2026, we remain optimistic. Farmers are expected to continue focusing on maintaining and optimizing their existing equipment rather than investing in new machinery, which will drive strong demand for replacement radial tires, particularly for high-horsepower tractors and large-scale operations.

CHAN PHOTHISANE, OTR NATIONAL SALES DIRECTOR, ZC RUBBER AMERICA INC.: 2025 was a year of lost crop yield and less profit. When demand slows down, you have to work much harder to sell ag tires. The salesman who continues to call on the customer and be persistent will outperform the salesman who is waiting for a phone call.