Russia's Rostselmash to develop exports to Iran, African countries in 2025

ROSTOV-ON-DON. Jan 24 (Interfax) - Rostselmash plans to expand exports to Iran and African countries in 2025, co-owner Konstantin Babkin told Interfax.

"We will work on exporting to African countries and expanding cooperation with Iran. These are important sales markets, though not as large as the Russian market," Babkin said.

There are no prerequisites for export growth this year due to the high key interest rate, he said.

"Key rates above 20% are not competitive in the global market and undermine our competitiveness. Existing support measures and transportation subsidies are in place, but they do not fully offset our weaknesses," Babkin said.

As previously reported, in 2024 Rostselmash delivered its first batch of 10 self-propelled agricultural machines to Libya, including TORUM 785 and ACROS 595 Plus combine harvesters as well as KSU 2 self-propelled mowers. The country became a new export market for the company. Rostselmash also exported agricultural machinery to Iran, Serbia, Moldova, Kyrgyzstan and Mongolia last year.

Rostselmash combines already operate in Egypt, Algeria, Sudan, South Africa, Angola, Ethiopia, Nigeria and Zimbabwe.

Konstantin Babkin, president of the Russian Association of Specialized Machinery and Equipment (Rosspetsmash), and partners, Yury Ryazanov and Dmitry Udras, control the Rostselmash group. The product line includes over 150 models and modifications of 24 types of equipment for the agro-industrial industry, as well as road construction. These include grain and forage harvesters, tractors, and sprayers, as well as forage procurement, grain processing and other equipment.