Agricultural machinery procurement trends in 2025: how to choose under the U.S.-China trade war?

In 2025, the procurement of agricultural machinery is no longer purely a technical task of “comparing brands and prices”, but has become a strategic judgment that must pay attention to macro policies, supply chain risks and long-term maintenance system. China and the United States trade war restarted and encoded, agricultural equipment, especially the core components are facing export restrictions, soaring prices, delivery delays and other multiple pressures.

Many agricultural practitioners may not realize that the real impact does not lie in the thousands of dollars more expensive equipment, but the “buy can not be repaired”, “repaired waiting half a year”, “supply of spare parts” of the systemic risk.

In this article, we’ll systematically analyze how the trade war is reshaping agricultural machinery procurement. We’ll compare technologies, offer practical advice, and help you stop following trends blindly or falling for marketing traps—so you can build a clear strategy and follow through with confidence.

As the global trade decoupling process continues to accelerate

we can clearly see the following significant changes in the agricultural machinery industry from 2025:

Imported brands increase prices: the price of imported agricultural machinery such as John Deere, CNH, Kubota, and so on, generally rises by 10% to 25%, but there is no improvement in ancillary services;

Delivery time is extended: imported spare parts customs clearance cycle is extended by more than 40%, and the key systems, such as hydraulics, Fuel electronic control, intelligent terminals rely heavily on China-made chains;

Maintenance service contraction: subject to import restrictions, foreign brands in China after-sales service team contraction, a large number of old models are marginalized;

Domestic substitution process accelerated: mainstream domestic agricultural machinery manufacturers rapidly expand their product lines and increase the investment in intellectualization.

Therefore, the essence of the question “how should you choose” is actually – how to make the optimal agricultural equipment investment decision in the unstable supply chain, brand service polarization environment?

Ⅰ.The truth behind the trade war: not only price increases, but also the watershed of the agricultural machinery industry

1. The industrial chain game under the national game

The purpose of the U.S. tariff policy is clear: to suppress the upgrading of China’s high-end equipment manufacturing through tax hikes, especially such technology-intensive agricultural machinery and the scene of the combination of immediate needs of the industry;

China’s incentives for the development of domestic agricultural machinery through subsidies, substitution, tariffs, and other means of counterattacks, independent and controllable.

What does this mean? It means that the market is no longer a simple question of “free choice”, but a situation of “you have to choose a side.

2. Agricultural machinery core technology is still mastered in a few countries

You may think that the tractor, harvester technology is very mature, but in fact the core components such as:

precision electronic control system (ECU), high-pressure common-rail fuel injection, GPS automatic navigation and RTK assisted driving, closed-loop hydraulic adjustment system these technologies are still concentrated in the hands of manufacturers in Europe and the United States, Japan and so on, and once the deterioration of the relationship between the United States and China, the supply of which will become the biggest hidden danger.

3. You can’t see the “structural price trap”

Many imported brands are doing “short-term promotions”, but in fact, most of these promotional models are:

Inventory clearance payment; does not contain the core module (e.g., intelligent control); after-sales support has been marginalized.

You think you are buying cheap, in fact, buy an island machine, late service, accessories have become “insoluble problems”.

Ⅱ.Farmer’s Guide to Procurement: Don’t stare at the “machine”, stare at the ‘system’

✅ Step 1: Reconfigure your purchasing goals – from “buy equipment” to “buy”. Equipment“ to ”buy system solutions“

Many farmers are still stuck in the ”machine the bigger the better, the more expensive the better” perception, in fact, the real good procurement logic should be:

Can you reduce the operating costs per acre?

improve crop planting efficiency?

use less labor?

make me less dependent on maintenance?

We suggest to change the purchasing goal to the following four points:

Traditional Purchasing Logic	Modern Intelligent Purchasing Logic
Look at the power size	Look at the operating efficiency (acres/hour)
Look at the initial price	Look at the total lifecycle cost (TCO)
Look at the brand name	Look at the after-sales network and parts coverage
Look at the number of functions	Look at the utilization rate of the matching scenarios

✅ Step 2: What is the right equipment for you? Match your “operating characteristics”

We make the following recommendations for different farm types:

Farm type	Suggested model	Focus on technical elements
Family farm (<100 acres)	Versatile tractor + implement combination	Low fuel consumption, small turning radius, easy to operate
Specialized plantations (orchards, vineyards)	Orchard-specific crawler tractor	Body Low profile, anti-tip design, narrow passability
Large grain farms (>500 acres)	Medium to large power tractor + harvester	High power output, auto-guidance, intelligent control
Hilly operations	Light tracked or small 4WD tractor	Sway-resistant, low center of gravity

At the same time, we propose to create an “operations database”: to record the average time spent per crop, the cost per acre, the number of hours spent per crop, the number of hours spent on each crop, the number of hours per acre, the cost per acre, the cost per acre, the cost per acre and the cost per acre. At the same time, we recommend establishing an “operational database”: to record the average time per acre for each crop, fuel consumption, depreciation, maintenance and other data, which can be used to evaluate the ROI (return on investment) of the equipment.

✅ Step 3: “Non-obvious indicators” that must be evaluated when purchasing

When you buy the equipment, you not only read the manual, but also have to ask on-site or in communication:

Does it support 5-year parts guarantee? Is there a contractual commitment?

How far is the after-sales center from your farm? How long does it take to respond?

Does it support cloud monitoring of the whole machine? Does it have remote fault warning?

Does it provide a “complete set of farm machinery operating system” (including supporting farm equipment)?

Ⅲ.Status and opportunities of domestic agricultural machinery: can it become the main force?

✅ Is the technical force enough?

Some leading enterprises, such as Lovol, Weichai Leming, Zoomlion, Dongfanghong, have reached the international first-class level in terms of intelligent control system, localized matching, and adapting to the complex terrain;

Some machine products (such as CVT tractor, crawler harvester) have realized the domestic substitution of key components.

✅ Is the after-sales guarantee reliable?

Leading enterprises have established a national service network, with a response time of 48 hours;

provides a combination of “regular inspection” + “original factory maintenance” + “parts to home” services, significantly reducing operation and maintenance anxiety. Provide “regular inspection” + “original factory maintenance” + “parts to home” combination service, significantly reducing operation and maintenance anxiety.

✅ Is the overseas performance stable?

Domestic brands have excellent performance in Southeast Asia, Africa and Central Asia;

shows that their equipment still works stably and reliably in high-temperature, dusty and low-maintenance environments.

IV.Trend forecast of the agricultural machinery industry in the next three years (for decision-making reference)

Direction	Trend change	Purchasing suggestions
Intelligence	Automatic navigation, cloud control will become mainstream	Select equipment to see the ability to expand intelligence
Green environmental protection	National IV and Euro V emission standards are mandatory	Pay attention to whether the equipment is in line with the emission regulations
Multi-scenario integration	Multi-purpose machine and multi-agricultural tool adaptation have become the mainstream	Prioritize the choice of expandable interface farm machinery
Popularization of financial leasing	Leasing of agricultural machines Become a trend	Pay attention to whether the manufacturer provides financing or leasing programs

FAQ：

What is the impact of the US-China trade war on agricultural equipment prices in 2025?

The US-China trade war has led to significant tariff increases on key agricultural machinery components. As a result, imported farm equipment—especially models from brands like John Deere, CNH, and Kubota—has seen a price hike of 10% to 25%. In addition, delays in customs clearance and disrupted supply chains have increased operational costs. Buyers must now factor in not just the purchase price, but also the availability of parts and maintenance services.

Can Chinese tractors replace John Deere or Kubota models?

Yes, many Chinese agricultural machinery brands such as Lovol, YTO (Dongfanghong), and Zoomlion have matured significantly in both performance and reliability. While they may not yet fully match the top-tier automation of premium Western brands, they offer excellent value for money, simplified maintenance, and growing smart-farming capabilities. For small to medium farms, they are increasingly considered viable alternatives.

Is it better to buy imported farm equipment or choose domestic brands in 2025?

Due to rising tariffs, longer shipping times, and unstable after-sales support for imported machinery, many buyers are switching to domestic options. Chinese brands have improved significantly and often come with better after-sales service and parts availability. For long-term investment, choosing a brand with local service support and high localization rate is more cost-effective.

How do I choose the right agricultural equipment for my farm?

Start by evaluating your farm’s size, terrain, crop type, and expected usage frequency. Small farms benefit from compact, multi-functional tractors, while large-scale operations need high-horsepower models with efficiency-focused attachments. Consider fuel consumption, compatibility with existing tools, and maintenance accessibility. More importantly, assess total cost of ownership (TCO), not just the purchase price.

What are the risks of using hybrid machines with imported components?

Hybrid models—machines assembled domestically but using imported key parts—may suffer from supply chain disruptions. If the imported components are affected by trade restrictions, users may face long delays for repairs and higher parts costs. To reduce risk, opt for models with fully localized supply chains or reliable replacement parts networks.

Do Chinese agricultural machines support smart farming features?

Yes, many modern Chinese tractors and harvesters now include GPS-based auto-steering, telematics, RTK satellite positioning, and cloud-based diagnostics. Brands like Lovol Smart Agriculture and Zoomlion Intelligence are leading this trend, offering increasingly sophisticated solutions at competitive prices—ideal for digital upgrades on medium and large farms.

What should I check in a service contract or warranty for farm equipment?

Ensure the warranty covers not just the engine, but also electronic systems, hydraulic components, and software (if applicable). Confirm the length of warranty, response time, availability of local service technicians, and whether original spare parts are guaranteed. Some domestic brands now offer 48-hour service commitments and digital maintenance records.

Is now a good time to buy new farm equipment, or should I wait?

If your current equipment is nearing its lifecycle end or cannot meet the demands of your 2025 farming season, now is the right time—especially before prices increase further or inventory shrinks. However, avoid panic-buying. Instead, choose vendors that provide both price transparency and strong after-sales guarantees, and consider financing or leasing options to ease upfront cost pressure.

How can I ensure long-term parts availability?

Choose a brand that:

Has a local or regional parts distribution center;

Offers multi-channel support (offline + online + mobile service);

Uses modular, standardized parts;

Is committed to 5–10 year service support on its main models.

Avoid niche brands with unclear import channels or no official representation.

What are the latest trends in agricultural equipment for 2025?

Key trends include:

Smart farming integration (auto-steering, AI diagnostics, IoT platforms);

Eco-compliance (Tier IV / Euro V emission standards);

Modular machinery that can adapt to different crops and terrain;

Predictive maintenance via cloud-based alerts and analytics;

Expansion of leasing and equipment-as-a-service financing models.

Farmers who adopt early can gain a competitive edge in efficiency and cost savings.

Conclusion

In the uncertain farm machinery market in 2025, we can no longer just look at “who is cheap” and “who has activities”. What we need to look at is: whose products will reliably last 5 years? Who can guarantee you an uninterrupted farming season? Who can send you spare parts and technicians when the storm comes?

This is not just a procurement decision—it’s a purchasing revolution that de-fetishizes brands and returns to pragmatism. By making rational judgments and choosing equipment and manufacturers that are truly “capable of fighting tough battles,” your agricultural business can remain stable and grow resilient against market turbulence.

At MINNUO, we believe that long-term value comes from durability, service continuity, and real-time support. That’s why we’ve built a full-stack service network—spanning spare parts logistics, professional technician coverage, and smart diagnostics—designed to keep your operations running, even when the market doesn’t. Choose MINNUO, and choose a partner ready for all seasons.