Russia lifts ban on import of rice, peanuts from India

NEW DELHI: Russia has lifted an eight-month-old ban on the import of Indian rice and peanuts, effective from this month, a move that would help traders regain their lost market.


The Russian Federation had imposed the ban due to the presence of khapra beetles pest in rice and aflatoxin contamination of peanuts.

"Russia has cancelled the temporary restriction on import of rice, rice cereals and peanuts from India. Exporters can resume export of these products effective from September 1," a senior government official told PTI.

Russia decided to remove restrictions after its officials visited processing units in India in June. The delegation was convinced about the safety measures that were put in place here while processing these food items, the official said.

The resumption of trade comes as the country seeks to boost exports to address the current account deficit.

India, the world's second-biggest producer of rice, had shipped 61,000 tonnes of rice and 3,700 tonnes of peanuts in the last financial year, earning USD 31 million from the export of the two food items.