Expensive tractor not owned by his firm spotted at ex-minister Krauze's farm

Latvian magazine Ir reports that a new, expensive tractor has been spotted at the farm of former Agriculture Minister Armands Krauze in Inciems, even though the vehicle is not owned by his company, BB Solutions. The machine in question is a 2021 Claas AXION 830 worth more than 100,000 euros, standing out sharply among the farm's otherwise aging equipment.

Older machinery on site

BB Solutions' usual fleet includes tractors roughly 30 years old — Yanmar and John Deere models — along with a Claas tractor and grain combine that have already been in use for more than a decade. The appearance of a nearly new, high-value tractor that the company neither owns nor formally holds raised questions for the magazine's journalists.

Tip from within the timber industry

The outlet says it received information about the tractor from a person involved in the timber business. The inquiry was prompted by suspicion that the vehicle could be connected to a gift from a "friend," though the exact circumstances of how the tractor ended up at the farm remain unclear.

Background: the timber support scandal

Krauze lost his post as Agriculture Minister in May after being detained in connection with a scandal over state support for timber producers. Latvia's State Audit Office has assessed that the scandal caused the state a revenue shortfall of at least 50 million euros. Despite the case, Krauze remains politically active — campaign posters for the ZZS party bearing his image are displayed near Inciems.

Inciems, a small settlement where Krauze's farm is located, is typically quiet on Sunday mornings, with little sign of field work. It was there, on the farm's grounds, that journalists observed the new tractor amid the older machines.

Ir says it continues to investigate the tractor's actual ownership and whether its presence at the farm is connected to the timber support case in which the former minister was detained.