Russia resumes potato import from Bangladesh
Removing previously imposed restrictions, Russia has resumed potato import from Bangladesh.
According to a press release from the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Bangladesh issued Monday (7 March), the restrictions were lifted on 5 March.
The Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance of the Russian Federation (Rosselkhoznadzor) resumed the import of potatoes from Bangladesh, the press release said.
The embassy also noted that the decision was made based on the assurance from Bangladeshi authorities responsible for quarantine and protection of plants.
Earlier, Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh Alexander Mantytskiy sat down with Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi and Agriculture Minister Dr Muhammad Abdur Razzaque to discuss the expansion of the Bangladeshi export range of products to Russia.
Russia had banned potato import from Bangladesh in 2015 when the presence of quarantine bacteria Ralstonia Solanacearum or Brown Bacterial Rot Agent was found in the crops exported from the country.
Bangladesh exports around one lakh tons of potatoes per year.
Before the ban imposed in 2015, the country used to export 20,000 tons yearly to Russia.