Russia lifts curbs on potato imports from Punjab, clears 101 exporters to resume shipments 

Russia has lifted restrictions on potato imports from Punjab, allowing 101 Pakistani exporters to resume shipments from July 7 after reviewing Pakistan’s phytosanitary control system, Pakistan’s trade officer in Moscow said. 

The decision was formally communicated to the Ministry of National Food Security and Research by the Russian Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance.

According to the trade officer’s letter, Russia will permit potato imports from Punjab subject to guarantees provided by Pakistan’s Department of Plant Protection.

The Russian authority said the decision followed a review of the list of Pakistani potato exporters and their planned export volumes from Punjab. However, it barred two Pakistani exporters from shipping potatoes to Russia, citing their failure to comply with phytosanitary standards.

The Russian authority alleged that the two exporters had violated phytosanitary quarantine requirements of Eurasian Economic Union member states while supplying potatoes to Russia in 2025.

The letter also stated that Russia had earlier allowed imports from three Pakistani exporters from April 8. These were Chase International, Zahid Kinnow Grading and Waxing Plant, and National Fruit.

Pakistan’s trade mission has asked the Ministry of National Food Security and Research to ensure implementation of the Russian decision.

Russia had imposed restrictions on potatoes from Punjab in May 2025, citing the alleged presence of Potato Tuber Moth and Tomato Wilt virus.

Pakistan raised the issue with the Russian Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance in February and submitted pest status records and laboratory diagnostic reports confirming the absence of the identified pests and pathogens in the potato crop.

The Trade Development Authority of Pakistan and the Pakistan Horticulture Development & Export Company have also held virtual business-to-business meetings to help Pakistani exporters make use of the renewed market access.

Pakistan is currently witnessing a bumper potato crop, with production estimated at around 12 million tonnes. Around 4 million tonnes have been identified as surplus for export to Central Asia and other destinations.

The renewed access to the Russian market is expected to help absorb surplus stocks, support domestic prices, benefit farmers and generate foreign exchange earnings.