The profitability of agriculture in 2023 was 18.9%

Last year, the food production index was 105.9%, while agricultural production showed a decline of 99.7%. “2022, of course, we had a very successful year - a big harvest. That's why we're seeing a decline. But, if we look at the agro-industrial complex index, we expect that in 2023 the agro-industrial complex index will be 102.9%. Still, we are seeing growth in the agro-industrial sector as a whole,” Fastova noted.

She also said that last year, support for agricultural producers for the first time exceeded 500 billion rubles. and amounted to just under 541 billion rubles. For comparison: in 2000 it was at the level of 18 billion rubles, in 2018 - a little more than 100 billion rubles. In 2024, the budget includes 529 billion rubles. to support agricultural producers. Moreover, two state programs - the development of rural areas and the involvement of agricultural land in circulation, as well as the development of the reclamation complex - will receive more funding in 2024: 68.5 billion rubles. for the first program (plus 4.7 billion rubles) and 40.7 billion rubles. (plus 6.2 billion rubles).

At the same time, in the main state program - “Development of Agriculture” - there is a decrease of 49.5 billion rubles. up to 393.2 billion rubles. But last year also began with lower funding figures, Fastova recalled. “Therefore, I hope that this figure is not final, and that we will be able to find sources, and the budget for 2024 will be no less than 2023,” she added. This year, as before, investment activity will be stimulated, and it takes up most of the budget of the Agricultural Development program - more than 200 billion rubles. Next in terms of funding volumes are the areas “Development of industries and technical modernization of the agro-industrial complex” - 81.9 billion rubles, as well as “Export of agricultural products” - 51.7 billion rubles. 

At the same time, there are no interbudgetary subsidies under the “Export of Agro-Industrial Products” program to stimulate the production of oilseeds, as well as capex in this area in 2024. RUB 49.36 billion was allocated for combined compensatory and incentive subsidies. (last year 25.52 billion rubles and 30.3 billion rubles, respectively). For financial compensation of grain producers for part of the costs - 10 billion rubles. (RUB 29.8 billion). But last year also began with 10 billion rubles, Fastova noted.

In 2024, funding for potato and vegetable producers will decrease - 4.5 billion rubles. instead of 4.62 billion rubles. a year earlier. At the same time, 8.21 billion rubles will be allocated for the creation of a support system for farmers and the development of rural cooperation; last year it was 6.21 billion rubles. In total, it is planned to allocate 85.47 billion rubles for interbudgetary subsidies. instead of 123.175 billion rubles. in 2023.

The combined subsidy is being introduced in connection with sufficient stimulation of production volumes, so a decision has now been made to maintain the financial stability of priority industries, Fastova said. According to her, five of them will be paid by regions by default: carrying out agrotechnological work, supporting livestock breeding, elite pig breeding, agricultural insurance and small farms. Of the remaining seven, regions will be able to choose no more than three. Among them are the production of flax, fruit and berry products, production and processing of MILK, etc.

This year's capex will also remain the same, but it will be paid in the form of a subsidy. According to Fastova, this is a plus for agricultural producers, since now they will receive subsidies not only from the federal but also from the regional budgets. Thus, the percentage will increase in many areas. So, for dairy farms it will be 30% instead of 25%. “Within the framework of dairy farming, the following changes have been made: everything related to construction will be subsidized from a thousand heads, this is 30% <...>. A new article has appeared - this is modernization <...> with an increase in capacity by a thousand heads or more,” said Fastova. According to her, new rules have already been agreed and will be released soon. 

In 2023, the volume of physical disbursement of subsidies for preferential loans amounted to 201.5 billion rubles, in 2024 the preferential lending plan was 211.9 billion rubles, of which 20 billion rubles were for new loans. (in 2023 - 29 billion rubles). In 2023, the distribution of the subsidy was as follows: 35% for long-term loans, the rest for short-term loans. In 2024, long-term accounts for 19%. According to Fastova,  the Ministry of Agriculture  expects that the volume of financing for new loans will be increased. In addition, in 2024, the areas that can receive preferential loans were expanded. Lending will begin on February 19, but now a floating rate will be applied - up to 6.8% for priority industries, for others - up to 10%.