Global farm machinery giant John Deere will be a "no show" at this year's Agritechnica fair which is scheduled for Hanover, Germany, next November.
Agritechnica is the annual international showcase for farm machinery innovation and provides an insight into future trends in ag machinery and technology.
John Deere's vice president of marketing and sales in Europe and the CIS countries which include Russia, Alejandro Sayago, said the COVID-19 pandemic had not yet been brought under control.
He said the future remained uncertain with virus mutations and the slow progress of the global vaccination rollout.
Despite the decision John Deere continued to support Agritechnica as the world's leading farm machinery trade show.
Agritechnica will be held from November 14-20 with organisers expecting more than 2000 exhibitors.
About 90 per cent of the exhibition grounds had already been booked, they said.
An online platform, Agritechnica digital, will be launched in May which will allow exhibitors to host their own events on the digital platform and deliver information about their products and services.
"The number of exhibitor registrations to date underscores the importance of Agritechnica as a global platform for agricultural machinery manufacturers and their suppliers," Agritechnica project manager Freya von Czettritz said.
"Numerous leading agricultural machinery companies have already signed up or are currently in the planning stages of their appearance at the trade show," she said.
"From May this year all exhibitors will be able to present themselves on our new online platform, Agritechnica digital.
"Together with our 'Safe Business' concept for the physical trade fair in Hanover in November, we are working closely with our exhibitors to create the best possible planning conditions for safe and successful participation in the world's leading trade fair for agricultural machinery."
Companies that have already registered as exhibitors at Agritechnica 2021 include Claas, Agco, SDF, Kubota, Amazone, Kuhn, Kverneland, Krone, Horsch, Lemken, Pttinger, Grimme and Vaderstad.
Meanwhile, John Deere has reported a strong first-quarter net income of $US1.224 billion compared with $US517m during the same period the previous year.
Deere's worldwide net sales and revenues increased 19 per cent in the first quarter of 2021 ended January 31 to $US9.112 billion
"John Deere started 2021 on a strongly positive note," chairman and chief executive officer John C. May said.