The Market for Renting Tractors and Agricultural Machinery as an Element of Sustainable Agriculture

The concept of sustainable development in agricultural production has undergone significant modifications over the last decade. The aspect of economic security of farms in the long term began to be treated as one of the priorities. Sustainable agricultural production can only be achieved if the farm's financial stability and its long-term development potential are ensured. Hence, the logistics of agricultural vehicles and machine distribution has significantly expanded its rental segment, whose global value in 2022 was USD 52.7 billion. The need to reduce the financial burden on farms after the COVID-19 pandemic, with rising prices of equipment, fertilisers and plant protection products, has strengthened the development of the agricultural equipment rental market. Its systematic growth is forecast for the next decade with its value doubling by 2032. This article presents the characteristics of the global and domestic agricultural vehicle and machinery rental market in terms of rules and requirements. The national pricing structure for individual rental options at various levels of agricultural tractor engine power is discussed, as well as the scope of fees for operating hours above a certain limit. The article concludes with a presentation of trends in the development and principles of operation of the agricultural tractor rental market in Poland.