Russia has ended a ban on importing potatoes from Pakistan, allowing shipments from farmers in Punjab to enter the Russian Federation, effective from April 8.
According to an official statement, the ban was lifted after Islamabad raised the issue with Russia’s Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance in February, submitting pest status records and laboratory diagnostic reports confirming the absence of the identified pests and pathogens in the potato crop.
It said the decision to export potatoes came after approval to lift phytosanitary restrictions that had been in place since May 2025. Russia has initially allowed imports from Pakistan’s Chase International, Zahid Kinnow Grinding and Waxing Plant, and National Fruit. This list could be expanded once more exporters meet Russian requirements.
According to Pakistan’s Pakistan trade attaché in Moscow, Shabana Aziz, the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan and the Pakistan Horticulture Development and Export Company are facilitating virtual business-to-business meetings to help Pakistani exporters avail this opportunity.
The issue of potato exports arose due to a bumper crop this year, with output reaching 12 million tons, roughly 4 million tons more than required for domestic requirements. The exports are expected to help absorb surplus stocks, stabilize domestic potato prices, support farming communities, and generate foreign exchange earnings.