Complaints About Belarusian Agricultural Machinery Have Begun In Russia
- 23.04.2025, 11:43
Rostselmash has declared unfair competition.
Sales of agricultural machinery in Russia at the beginning of the year fell by more than 30% compared to the 2024 level, which machinery manufacturers regard as a severe crisis. At the same time, Russian manufacturers complain about unequal conditions of competition with Belarusian ones, Rostselmash co-owner and president of the Rosspetsmash association Konstantin Babkin told «Kommersant».
Rostselmash recently declared unequal conditions of competition with Belarusian manufacturers. Babkin explained that the program of preferential loans is not working in Russia today: since the beginning of the year, the company has sold two combines under it.
“Meanwhile, Belarusians have no problems with preferential loans. You can go to any Russian bank, take out a loan, buy a Belarusian combine, and the Belarusian budget will pay you three-quarters of the Russian Central Bank rate - about 15% of subsidies per year,” he noted.
“There are no privileges for Russian equipment. If you go to Sberbank, they will tell you: “30% per annum, please.” This creates unequal conditions for competition, and, naturally, the Belarusians “eat away” our share, which does not add stability.” Babkin calls this expansion on the part of Belarusian manufacturers. In the total volume of deliveries of Russian and Belarusian combines to the Russian market, Belarusian manufacturers in quantitative terms occupied a share of 17% in 2021. In 2024, this share increased to 40%. In general, if artificial distortions are not created, the normal situation is that our share is 75%, the Belarusians - 25%, he believes. The situation can be leveled out by leveling subsidies.
"We can agree to work according to uniform rules. If in Russia there is no opportunity to use preferential loans, then Belarus should not resort to subsidies. And if we receive subsidies, then they should launch the same. Here we are talking more about interstate agreements,” he explains. “If we go back to 2010, when we, unlike Belarusian producers, did not enjoy any support measures, Rostselmash produced 2.5 thousand combines, and Gomselmash - 3.6 thousand units. We were squeezed out of the market, everything was going to the fact that Rostselmash would not exist. Now it is not such a story, but this year we can equalize in terms of production volume. Although I do not think that this situation will continue forever and the government will calmly watch as Rostselmash is squeezed out due to absolutely unequal competition.”