CNH Global assisting in Russian trade mission. (News Briefs).

CNH Global is leading a new trade mission to assemble, distribute and eventually manufacture agricultural equipment in the Russian states. At present, tractors and combines are not available in sufficient quantities to permit the most efficient use of Russia's vast agricultural resources.

This situation is expected to change substantially as a result of various CNH partnerships, according to the company. In the 1990s, the company recognized a mutually beneficial opportunity in the Russian agricultural market and has been working toward such partnerships. CNH says it is the largest supplier of agricultural machinery to the Commonwealth of independent States, with more than 12,000 pieces of equipment in current operation.

Prior to their merger, both Case IH and New Holland have worked with farmers in Russia to increase productivity and profitability. Case IH and the Russian government have an agreement through the Declaration of Intent, whereby the company outlined its strategy to contribute significantly to the growth of the Russian agricultural industry. As a result of its joint venture company in Uzbekistan to assemble cotton pickers, Case IH has been able to offer a wide range of machinery in Russia and the CIS, with equipment sales totaling $46.9 million in 2000.

New Holland won its first contract for 100 combine harvesters, with the Ukraine in 1996. The company later exported combines to Russia, with financing from the European Export-Import Bank.