Russia lifts curbs on Punjab potato exports

ISLAMABAD: Russia has removed restrictions on potato imports from Punjab, allowing 101 Pakistani exporters to restart shipments from July 7 after reviewing Pakistan’s phytosanitary control arrangements, according to Pakistan’s trade officer in Moscow.

The decision was formally conveyed to the Ministry of National Food Security and Research. At the same time, Russia’s Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance disallowed two Pakistani exporters from sending potatoes to the Russian market, saying they had not met the required phytosanitary standards.

Decision communicated to Pakistan

According to the trade officer’s letter, the Russian side told Pakistani authorities that potatoes from Punjab could be imported subject to guarantees from Pakistan’s Department of Plant Protection. The Russian authority said its decision came after examining the list of Pakistani potato exporters and their planned export volumes from Punjab.

However, two exporters were kept off the approved list on the grounds that they had breached phytosanitary quarantine requirements of member states of the Eurasian Economic Union while supplying potatoes to Russia in 2025.

The letter also recalled that Russia had already allowed imports from three Pakistani potato exporters from April 8. Those companies were Chase International, Zahid Kinnow Grading and Waxing Plant, and National Fruit.

Pakistan had taken up the issue earlier

Pakistan had raised the matter with the Russian Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance in February, submitting pest status records and laboratory diagnostic reports that confirmed the absence of the identified pests and pathogens in the potato crop.

Pakistan’s trade mission has asked the Ministry of Food Security to ensure implementation of the Russian decision. The Trade Development Authority of Pakistan and the Pakistan Horticulture Development & Export Company have also held virtual business-to-business meetings aimed at helping exporters benefit from the opening in the Russian market.

Export surplus and alternate routes

Pakistan is assessing export routes to Central Asian states through China and Iran after the closure of the Torkham border. The country is currently reporting a bumper potato harvest, with production estimated at around 12 million metric tonnes this season.

Of that total, around 4 million metric tonnes have been identified as surplus for export to Central Asia and other destinations. In May 2025, Russia had imposed restrictions on potatoes from Punjab, citing the alleged presence of Potato Tuber Moth and Tomato Wilt virus.

The latest access to the Russian market is expected to help absorb surplus stocks, support farming communities, stabilise domestic potato prices and bring in foreign exchange earnings.