The world's biggest tractor manufacturers are deliberating on pulling out of the Russian market.

All of the top four producers – CLAAS, CNH Casei and New Holland, Massey Fergusson and John Deere – have a significant presence in the country. As sanctions are ramped up between Russia and the West, doing business in Russia is increasingly difficult.

Claas have a factory in Krasnodar, which opened in 2005 and now produces up to 1000 machines a year with a £100m investment in 2015 to expand the factory. CNH have a large presence in the country, with a number of dealerships selling the popular Magnum and Puma tractors, and Axial-Flow combines. Of these, the Puma 210 is produced in Naberezhnye, Chelny, in West Central Russia.

For nearly a decade AGCO, which produces the Massey Fergusson and Fendt brands, has had a joint venture with the Russian Machines Corporation at a site Golitsyno, outside Moscow. The 12.5 hectare site manufactures the Massey and Challenger tractors and combines.

John Deere, meanwhile, has a plant at Orenburg, Russia, which produces tractors, combines, tillage and crop care equipment. When asked by The Scottish Farmer if they were planning to pull out of the Russian market, a company spokesman said: “John Deere is deeply saddened by the significant escalation of events in Ukraine. The safety, welfare, and well-being of our employees in the region remain our top priority, and we continue to support and maintain close communication with our affected teams, providing necessary resources when possible.

"Our thoughts are with our employees, their families as well as our dealers, customers and all those impacted by this crisis.

"Two weeks ago, we suspended shipments of machines to Russia and then subsequently, Belarus. We continue to monitor the situation closely while we fully abide by US and international sanctions. The John Deere Foundation has additionally been working directly with a number of organisations, including multiple UN agencies, to mobilise resources to support Ukrainians impacted by the crisis. Our mission is, and always has been, to help our customers feed the world."