Дорого, нерентабельно: почему российские аграрии стали реже покупать сельхозтехнику

Russian farmers have started buying less agricultural machinery in 2024. Of the eleven most popular types of equipment for farmers, only tractors are still being bought at a stable rate. In the first half of 2024, their sales fell by only 1% compared to the same period in 2023. The situation is worse in other categories, with demand falling by up to 62%.

This is according to data from the publication "Kommersant," which collected statistical information from Rosspetsmash and enterprises that produce agricultural machinery in Russia. The most difficult situation is currently for manufacturers of fertilizer spreaders, forage harvesters, and plows. Their products are being manufactured but are sitting idle in warehouses. This is the first time this has happened in recent years.

Image source infographics from the publication "Kommersant"

According to Rosspetsmash's estimates, sales of agricultural machinery in Russia decreased by 10% to 107 billion rubles in the first two quarters of 2024. There are several main reasons for this phenomenon, including, according to Denis Maksimkin, Deputy Director of Rosspetsmash:

"a colossal impact" from the high level of the Central Bank's key rate. For example, under the Ministry of Agriculture's preferential program alone, the rate has increased from 5% to 10% this year;
low profitability of agricultural enterprises is preventing demand from picking up. Currently, the Ministry of Agriculture increased the base price for wheat to 18,000 rubles at the end of June for calculating the export duty, but for farmers' profitability to start growing, the base price should be at least 24,000 rubles per ton.

Farmers, in conversation with representatives of another Russian publication, the industry journal "Agroinvestor," also highlighted other, no less important, reasons for the low demand for machinery in 2024. These are:

falling incomes due to the loss of part of the harvest as a result of floods and other adverse weather conditions;
low availability of loans for the purchase of machinery;
increased costs for the recycling fee and logistics;
the mismatch between domestic agricultural machinery and the required level of quality and needs. For example, it may have insufficient protection from stones or unsuitable performance parameters and operating conditions for import substitution.

Earlier in 2024, it became known about the Ministry of Industry and Trade's intention to increase the recycling fee for agricultural machinery of foreign production by 5-10 times. Experts noted at the time that this measure could cause food prices to rise and become another blow to farmers.