KARACHI: Russia has lifted the ban on importing rice from Pakistan, Minister for National Food Security and Research Syed Fakhar Imam announced on Friday.
Four enterprises from the country are now able to export rice to the Russian Federation. The ban was lifted after efforts were made by the Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of National Food Security and the trade wing of Pakistan’s embassy in Moscow.
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Fakhar Imam announced that the ban on the import of Pakistani rice was imposed two years ago due to differences in quality “There is a market of 2.5 million tonnes of Pakistani rice in Russia and Pakistan is exporting rice to 140 countries,” he added.
“Initially, four local companies were allowed to export rice to Russia, however a delegation was scheduled to visit Moscow to explore more opportunities for the companies meeting the set standards to enhance exports of rice to Russia,” he added.
Fakhar Imam further said that Pakistan has harvested bumper rice crops of over 8.4 million tons, adding that the resumption of rice exports to Russian markets would help in fetching additional $200 to $ 300 million each year.
The import of Pakistani rice was banned by the Russian Federation in May 2019 after the detection of the Khapra beetle (Trogoderma granarium) in a rice consignment shipped from Pakistan.
Trade Wing experts from Russia had a discussion with the Department of Plant Protection (DPP) in 2020 and they were given a briefing on a new inspection system devised by DPP for consignments routed for Russia.
After the visit, additional information was asked for which was provided. Following long deliberations, the Russian side agreed to allow the import of rice from Pakistan.
