Brussels, Jan 16 Amid the accelerating global push for agricultural modernization and food security, three leading international agricultural machinery manufacturers – John Deere, CNH Industrial (Case) and Claas - have successively rolled out strategic initiatives between Jan 10 and Jan 16, 2026. Focused on advancing electrification, intelligence and localized innovation, these moves aim to seize opportunities in the booming high-end agricultural machinery market, which is projected to reach $230 billion globally this year with a compound annual growth rate of 5.2%.
The latest industry data shows that the global sales of smart agricultural machinery surged by 18% year-on-year in 2025, with particularly strong demand in emerging markets such as Southeast Asia, Africa and Central Asia. Factors including labor shortages, rising production costs and the need for improved crop yields have become key drivers for the adoption of intelligent and low-carbon agricultural equipment. Against this backdrop, major manufacturers are stepping up their strategic layout in the first quarter of 2026 to gain a competitive edge.
U.S.-based John Deere took the lead by announcing on Jan 12 the official launch plan of its E-Power battery-electric tractor series at a press conference in Chicago. Derek Mueller, manager of John Deere‘s Battery Electric Vehicle Systems business, stated that three models of the E-Power tractors, designed for vineyard, orchard and pasture applications, will be put on the market in 2026 after completing prototype testing. With a power output of 130 horsepower equivalent to the company’s diesel-powered 5-series tractors, the electric models feature a universal platform that supports customization of tire sizes and axle widths, and are compatible with farm tools suitable for 130-horsepower tractors. “These electric tractors have far fewer mechanical components than diesel counterparts, requiring only hydraulic oil replacement and cab air filter replacement every 2,000 hours, which significantly reduces maintenance costs,” Mueller emphasized. All E-Power models are equipped with autonomous driving systems compatible with John Deere‘s next-generation automation technology.
CNH Industrial (Case) followed suit on Jan 14 by unveiling its upgraded AI-powered intelligent farming solutions at a regional agricultural technology forum in Bangkok. The highlight of the launch is the enhanced SenseApply™ spray system, which integrates machine vision technology to accurately identify weeds and implement targeted spraying, reducing herbicide use while improving operational efficiency. The company also announced progress in the localization project of high-end gearboxes for large-horsepower tractors at its Harbin manufacturing base. With an investment of tens of millions of yuan, the project will introduce world-leading full-power shift and CVT gearbox technologies, aiming for trial production in March 2026 and mass production of full-power shift gearboxes by the end of the year. “Localized production of core components will enhance supply chain resilience and better adapt to the smart farming needs in the Asia-Pacific region,” said Li Kang, President of CNH Industrial China and Mongolia.
German agricultural machinery giant Claas released its 2026 Asia-Pacific market strategy on Jan 15, reaffirming its long-term investment commitment to China and other emerging markets. “We are investing in the next 20 years in China,” said Mr. Mohr, CEO of Claas Group, in an exclusive interview. The company will continue to introduce high-end models such as the LEXION large harvesters to meet the needs of large-scale farms in Northeast and Northwest China, while leveraging its Gaomi factory in Shandong as a global production and R&D base. The EVION 580 harvesters produced in Gaomi have been exported to Central Asia, Eastern Europe and Africa, demonstrating the global competitiveness of “Made-in-China” Claas products. Additionally, Claas plans to accelerate the localization of its supply chain and talent development in China, striving to make Claas China an innovation hub within the group.
Industry experts noted that the successive strategic moves by John Deere, CNH Industrial and Claas reflect the clear trend of the global agricultural machinery industry towards intelligence, electrification and localization. With governments around the world strengthening support for smart agriculture, the demand for high-end agricultural machinery equipped with autonomous operation, AI recognition and remote monitoring functions will continue to rise. However, challenges remain, including high dependence on imported core components in some regions and limited acceptance of high-priced smart equipment among small-scale farmers. It is expected that the competition in the global agricultural machinery market in 2026 will focus more on technological innovation, product customization and after-sales service system construction.
Post time: 01-14-2026
