Russia Lifts Import Ban on Pakistani Potatoes, Reopening Trade from Punjab

The government raised the issue of the ban with the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor) in February, submitting pest status records and laboratory diagnostic reports confirming the absence of the identified pests and pathogens in the potato crop. An official announcement stated that the decision to export potatoes came after approval to lift phytosanitary restrictions that had been in place since May 2025. The Russian authority has initially permitted imports from three Pakistani exporters: Chase International, Zahid Kinnow Grinding & Waxing Plant, and National Fruit, with the possibility of more exporters being added in due course upon meeting Russian requirements. Pakistan trade attaché in Moscow, Shabana Aziz, said that additional companies will be registered in the near future. She added that, with the support of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and Pakistan Horticulture Development & Export Company (PHDEC) teams, ...