Thursday, September 12, 2013

Russia Lifted Ban on Import of Non-Basmati Rice and Oilseeds from India

Russia lifted the ban on import of non-basmati rice from India on 10 September 2013, which will eventually lead to an increase in the export of non-basmati rise from India. Russia also lifted the ban on the oilseeds apart from non-basmati rice.

It is important to note that the Russian Federation had imposed ban on these commodities in December 2012 because of the presence of khapra beetles pest in rice and aflatoxin contamination of peanuts. Thereafter, from 23 June 2013 to 30 June 2013, Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (FSVPS) delegation from Russia inspected the processing units in India, which eventually led to a lift on the ban and resumption of the trade on these commodities between India and Russia. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation submitted its report on the inspection.

India, at present, is the second largest producer of rice in the world with the output of 104.40 million tonnes in the 2012-13 crop year (July-June). India exports a considerable quantity of basmati as well as non-basmati rice in foreign markets. The International Grain Council (IGC) in the recent past however estimated that the rice export of India in 2013-14 would be 8.5 million tonnes, which is around 10 percent lower than the 9.4 million tonnes exported in 2012-13. The overall export of basmati rice to Russia was 789.19 tonnes during 2012-13 fiscal year before the imports were suspended.

It is important to note that khapra beetle, also known as Trogoderma granarium was discovered in certain consignments in early 2012. Khapra beetle is one of the most destructive pests of the world found in the stored products as well as seeds.

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