Minister of Agriculture of Kazakhstan Aidarbek Saparov held a meeting with representatives of the world-class company for the production of agricultural machinery CLAAS. During the conversation, the head of the department asked to reconsider the pricing policy and consider the issue of increasing the localization of production in Kazakhstan, the APK News agency reports.
In 2021, the company opened an assembly plant for agricultural machinery in the city of Petropavlovsk in the North Kazakhstan region.
Since the launch of the enterprise, 1,256 units of equipment have been produced, including 514 combines, 266 tractors, 149 seeding complexes worth about $ 312 million. By the end of the year, the company plans to produce at least 100 tractors and 150 combines at this assembly plant.
Domestic farmers have already appreciated the German quality of combines and tractors from CLAAS. Aidarbek Saparov noted that within the framework of the Head of State's instruction to increase the level of agricultural machinery renewal to 10%, 120 billion tenge was allocated for leasing this year at a "net" 5%.
"In 2025, it is planned to allocate 200 billion tenge for preferential leasing, which will bring the machinery renewal rate to 6.5%. Your company's combines are among the best on the market, but unfortunately, their prices are affordable only for large and medium-sized farms. In this regard, we ask you to reconsider the pricing policy and consider the issue of increasing the localization of production in Kazakhstan," Aidarbek Saparov said.
The parties also discussed plans for the coming year, including increasing the volume of agricultural machinery assembly and establishing the production of components.
The company's representatives reported that the plans include the creation of new service centers in the city of Kokshetau in the Akmola region, as well as in the Abay region.
We will add that on October 22, there will be an exhibition and presentation of the new heavy-duty tractor "Xerion 12" with a capacity of 650 horsepower.
According to the company representatives, this tractor has been tested in the field conditions of Kazakhstan for two years. It will be assembled at the enterprise in Petropavlovsk.