German agricultural machinery manufacturer CLAAS has announced that it will continue to supply combine harvesters to Russia, despite the suspension of the grain deal. In an interview with Suddeutsche Zeitung, CLAAS CEO Jan-Hendrik Mohr stated that the company recognizes the importance of the Russian agricultural region and sees its continued supply as a contribution to the world food supply.
Mohr expressed disappointment regarding the suspension of the grain deal, noting that it will have the least impact on Moscow and the West due to Russia’s abundance of grain and the purchasing power in the West. This decision by CLAAS comes after the failure of the UN- and Türkiye-mediated Black Sea Grain Initiative, which aimed to allow Ukraine to export grain by commercial ships but had become purely commercial.
CLAAS has faced criticism for its ongoing business activities in Russia. However, the company argues that its food-production equipment is exempt from international sanctions against Moscow. Mohr emphasized the importance of agricultural equipment in the global grain trade, stating that all grain shipped across the Black Sea to Africa must first pass through a combine. Therefore, exemptions for agricultural equipment, as well as medicines and medical equipment, are justified.
Although CLAAS has decided to continue supplying combine harvesters, it no longer provides tractors to Russia due to concerns that they could be used in the conflict in Ukraine. The company has suspended the production of combines at its plant in the Krasnodar Region but continues to pay salaries to its remaining employees.
This announcement reflects CLAAS’s commitment to the agricultural sector and its dedication to supporting global food production. Despite the challenges and geopolitical tensions, the company believes in the importance of maintaining its presence in Russia and contributing to global food security.
In conclusion, CLAAS’s decision to continue supplying combine harvesters to Russia, despite the suspension of the grain deal, is motivated by humanistic considerations. The company believes that its contribution to the world food supply outweighs the challenges and criticisms it faces. With its commitment to exempted goods and its dedication to the agricultural industry, CLAAS remains steadfast in its support of global food production.
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