How is the market trend for agricultural pumps? And what led Comet, which began as a manufacturer of this component, to establish itself among the leaders in the Cleaning industry as well?
We talked about this with Daniele Malfanti, Italy Sales Manager for Comet Spa, who will introduce us to the latest innovation in the agricultural sector: the new BP-X pumps for low-pressure spraying.
My professional experience stemmed from the automotive and agricultural sectors, where I had the opportunity to work with prominent companies such as Landini and Same. Later, I also expanded my skills in similar fields, working with companies such as Piaggio and B&W, holding the position of Sales Manager.
This path has allowed me to develop a solid understanding of the market, sales dynamics and customer relationship management. I joined Comet in 2017 as Sales Manager for the Italy Agricultural sector and since 2023 I have also held the position of Italy Sales Manager for the Industry, Cleaning and Floor Care sectors.
The year 2023 was a complex one for the Italian agricultural pump market, in line with the general downturn that affected the entire agricultural machinery sector. After a 2022 already marked by difficulties, we experienced a further drop in sales, especially in the tractor and agricultural equipment segment. Falling farm incomes, rising production costs, inflation and geopolitical instability are some of the main causes.
Despite this challenging backdrop, Comet recorded a return to growth in 2024, reaching 2020 revenue levels. The agricultural pump segment, while operating in an unfavorable environment, has shown some resilience, supported by a growing interest in water efficiency and environmental sustainability.
Indeed, next-generation pumps are increasingly integrated into smart irrigation systems. In addition, incentives related to Industry 4.0 have enabled us to intercept a more qualified demand geared toward advanced, high value-added technology solutions.
The year 2025 has started with encouraging signs, and we expect the main trends in the coming years to be driven by three directions:
In summary, although the economic background still has some critical issues, the agricultural pump sector offers attractive prospects, especially for companies capable of innovating and replying to the new demands of increasingly sustainable, technological and future-oriented agriculture.
It is a rapidly evolving sector, driven by the need to combine operational efficiency, environmental sustainability and compliance with increasingly stringent European regulations.
The main needs of farmers focus on a few key aspects:
In summary, the trend is toward advanced technological solutions allowing farmers to work better, more sustainably, and meet the challenges of modern, responsible agriculture.
We support our clients through a highly collaborative and customization-oriented approach. Our R&D department is constantly working closely with leading sprayer manufacturers, thus developing customized solutions that meet their specific needs, both from a technical standpoint and in terms of the materials used.
The evolution of the industry and the introduction of new crop treatment products are pushing toward increasingly specialized solutions. In this context, we have implemented innovative projects such as:
Our goal is to support customers not only in supplying the part, but in developing comprehensive solutions which are ready to meet the challenges of modern agriculture.
Yes, the new BP-X low-pressure pump range is already available in the Italian market. It is the natural evolution of the historic BP-K series, a true milestone in Comet’s range of spraying pumps.
The BP-X project was created with the aim of offering the maximum advantage in terms of technological innovation, but without disrupting the basic features that made the previous series so successful. The new BP-Xs incorporate updated construction materials and high-tech components, improving performance, efficiency and life.
Another strength of the BP-X series is its full compatibility with BP-K models, which allows for gradual adoption without significant effects on logistics, inventory, or spare parts management. This translates into a major economic benefit for OEMs, dealers and end users.
In summary, BP-Xs are a practical step forward in agricultural spraying, as they combine proven reliability and smart Innovation.
Although the applications are very different, the two areas share a common technical basis: pump technology. The main distinction is the type of pump and where it is used.
In the agricultural sector, we mainly use diaphragm pumps for spraying and treatments in crops, with pressures around 50 bar. In the Cleaning sector, on the other hand, piston pumps are used, designed for high or very high-pressure applications, which can reach up to 1000 bar, as in the case of industrial pressure washers.
Another major difference concerns the final product:
Thus, while starting from a common technology, the two worlds differ in applications, markets, targets and business models. In the agricultural sector, Comet is now a global supplier of choice, working with almost all major international OEMs.
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