The latest data show that the supply of such products to the domestic market fell by a third in the first quarter.
According to experts, the volume of supplies for the specified period amounted to about 38 billion rubles, which is quite a low figure.
The supply of grain harvesters has decreased especially noticeably: they have dropped by almost 60%, and only 437 units of such equipment were purchased.
Experts explain this by the unfavorable situation that has developed in Russian agribusiness today: the marginality of production is low, its cost is growing, and the high rate of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation makes loans very expensive.
As a result, agricultural producers simply do not have the money to purchase expensive equipment. Therefore, it is not surprising that the volume of its purchase continues to decline.
To improve the situation, analysts propose a number of measures.
First, reduce or cancel the export duty on grain so that farmers have the opportunity to receive more money from the sale of their products.
Secondly, it would be very useful to return preferential loans at a rate of 5% for the purchase of agricultural machinery: this would solve the problem of unavailability of loans associated with the high rate of the Central Bank.
In addition, annual support under the 1432 program would help: equipment manufacturers receive a subsidy from the state, selling their products to farmers at a discount. Experts believe that the program should be expanded to at least 20 billion rubles.
“In our opinion, this is one of the most effective measures to support both domestic farmers and machine builders,” said First Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on Agrarian and Food Policy and Environmental Management Sergei Mitin.
In general, experts believe that there is currently a crisis in the agricultural sector, but it will not last forever: this is just a period that needs to be overcome somehow and move on.
People will still continue to buy food, farmers will produce it, and the state will support them.
At the same time, right now the Ministry of Agriculture does not expect an improvement in the situation with the supply of agricultural machinery to farmers. On the contrary, it is expected that the renewal rate will continue to fall.
For example, for grain harvesters in 2024 it was 4.1%, and this year it risks falling to 3.7%.
This rate will be no more than 4% for forage harvesters, tractors, and many other types of equipment, which shows a high degree of wear for many units that are working in the fields today.
