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The 8^th Forum on Food Processing Machinery – the Russian Food Machine Building 2024: From Sustained Growth to Sustainable Development took place within Agroprodmash 2024. The event was organised by the Rosspetsmash Association and the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Konstantin Babkin, the forum’s chair and President at the Rosspetsmash Assocation told the audience about the status of Russia’s food machine building market. Food machinery output grew by 60% in January-August 2024, compared to the figures of the same period of 2023 and reached 127.1 billion rubles. The share of domestic equipment increased by 10.3% in the Russian market in January-August 2024 as against the same period of the previous year (from 43.5% to 53.8%). The year-on-year market growth stood at 39%. In particular, the volume of food equipment imports also increased at the same time. In 2023, the growth amounted to 88% compared to 2022. There was a significant increase in imports from China.

Both the market and production are developing. Konstantin Babkin told the audience about the implementation of investment projects, including those supported by the state, which aimed to build and upgrade manufacturing enterprises and to develop new types of equipment.

Ilya Orsik, Deputy Head at the Department of Agricultural, Food and Road Machine Building of the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade, spoke about food machine building. This sector is now growing steadily. The industry situation is favorable for Russian manufacturers.

“The growth observed in recent years indicates that many investments made by domestic machine builders are effective,” Orsik said. "Consumers increasingly opt to choose Russian equipment, which is not inferior to foreign analogues by its properties. Yet there is still room for improvement. A national project we are launching together with the Agriculture Ministry sets ambitious tasks for all areas of food machine building with the general goal of a prevailing position in the market by 2030. We will seek to achieve the target together with the industry and research centers,” he said.

Anna Shavaleyeva, Executive Director at the Meridian Group, briefly described her company. Perm-based Meridian Group produces and integrates industrial equipment for automation of production lines. Anna listed current industry trends. First of all, this is a personnel shortage. It takes up to 120 days to fill an engineer vacancy, and up to 90 days to fill an agronomist vacancy. There is competition for qualified professionals. The second trend is the development of the industrial robotics market. Robotics is just at its outset in Russia. The share of robotic systems stands at 15% in machine building, alongside 12% in the food industry. The market will develop. It has growth potential. The third trend is improving product quality and productivity.

Alexander Fyodorov, Head of Corporate Business at Rosagroleasing, described leasing as a tool for the development of the agriculture industry. Rosagroleasing actively supports small and medium-sized businesses in the agriculture industry, creating favorable conditions through preferential leasing for up to eight years.

This annual forum has long established itself as the main industry event and a platform for constructive dialogue between business and officials. This year, the forum participants discussed current industry issues and plans for the future. How can Russian manufacturers be drawn into digital transformation and robotics of the food and processing industry? How can growth needs be accommodated and sources of investment in the industry be found one year after launch of the preferential leasing program for food equipment?

The second part of the forum, held with participation of representatives of the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade, addressed the issues of reverse engineering in the industry.

Press Service, EXPOCENTRE AO