The average age of agricultural machinery in Russia has reached 14.2 years, and the level of physical wear and tear is 78%, according to the "Zerno On-line" portal. Out of 1.18 million units of equipment, 57% have been in operation for more than ten years. At the same time, 12% of the fleet (about 140 thousand machines) are more than 90% worn out – it is economically senseless to restore them.
The situation is worst with grain harvesters: their average wear and tear reaches 82%. The technical readiness factor of the equipment has fallen to 0.72 – this means that almost a third of the machines can be idle at any moment.
The annual need for fleet renewal is estimated at 120 thousand units of equipment. However, Russian production covers only slightly more than half of this need.
Old equipment not only breaks down more often but is also significantly more expensive to operate. Fuel consumption on worn-out machines increases by 15–20%, and repair and maintenance costs now account for 35–40% of all operating expenses of large farms.
What we have already written about the state of the agricultural machinery fleet
The problem of wear and tear and shortage of equipment in the Russian agricultural sector is not new. Back in October 2024, it was reported about the initiative of the Ministry of Agriculture to adjust the strategy for the development of the agro-industrial complex until 2030: the department recorded a shortage of 65 thousand tractors and 34 thousand combines. Even then, more than half of the equipment had been in operation for more than ten years, and the pace of fleet renewal lagged behind the necessary.
The situation is aggravated by the decline in production: according to the "Rosspetsmash" association, in 2024, the production of agricultural machinery in Russia decreased by almost 13% – to 237 billion rubles. Among the main reasons for the decline, experts cited the high key rate of the Central Bank and the low profitability of the agricultural sector.