Stakeholders push for lifting Russian ban on Pakistani potatoes

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Horticulture Development & Export Company (PHDEC), working jointly with the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), conducted an interactive online session to discuss prospects for restoring Pakistani potato exports to Russia and addressing related challenges.

According to an article published in Business Recorder, a session titled “Russia Market Re-Opening for Pakistani Potatoes: Current Issues and Way Forward,” was organised against the backdrop of the new potato harvesting season in Punjab where export-quality produce has become available. During this zoom session, discussion focused on broadening export markets as Pakistan anticipates a bumper potato crop estimated at around 12 million tonnes.

The meeting drew participation from both public and private sector stakeholders, including Shabana Mumtaz, Minister (Trade & Investment) in Moscow, representing Pakistan’s Trade Mission in Russia. Officials from the Department of Plant Protection (DPP), the Pest Warning Wing of the Punjab government, representatives of the Pakistan Fruits & Vegetables Association (PFVA), and prominent potato exporters were also in attendance.

Participants underscored the need to diversify export destinations, particularly as access to some traditional markets remains constrained. The reopening of the Russian market was described as strategically important for managing surplus production and stabilising farmer returns.

Briefing the session, Shabana Mumtaz outlined ongoing engagement with Rosselkhoznadzor, Russia’s National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO). She noted that the import restriction imposed in May 2025 stemmed from phytosanitary concerns linked to Potato Tuber Moth and Spotted Wilt Virus.

She added that Pakistan has already submitted its official technical response to the Russian authorities and is awaiting their feedback. Supporting this position, DPP officials stated that joint field surveys and technical evaluations carried out with the Pest Warning Department found no presence of the cited pests or diseases, and a detailed technical dossier has been shared with NPPO Russia.

Representatives from the private sector stressed that resolving the issue through direct government-to-government engagement remains the most viable long-term solution, rather than relying on indirect exports via third countries.