Exports of buffalo meat and agricultural items from India to Russia are yet to pick up despite the removal of import restrictions early this year as the country has not relaxed its quarantine laws.
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda) is in talks with the Russian quality control organisation to convince officials to recognise Indian labs and certifications for speedy exports, a Commerce Ministry official told BusinessLine.
“Apeda officials are negotiating with Russian agencies for recognition of quality certifications given by the Indian government and also of its labs,” the official said.
Inspectors from Russia’s Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (FSVPS) visited some facilities in India recently and approved consignments for meat and dairy exports.
“Some exports of meat and agricultural items have started, but the process is long and tedious. We can reap significant benefits from the Russian market if we are allowed to give our own certifications,” the official said.
Russia allowed exports of buffalo meat and dairy products and also lifted several restrictions on agricultural items from India early this year after its relations with Western countries soured due to the Ukrainian crisis.
Apeda is trying to convince Russia about India’s impeccable track record of over four decades in exporting various farm products and buffalo meat.
“India exports boneless buffalo meat to over 60 countries around the world. There has not been a single incidence of livestock related disease outbreak for over forty years,” the official said.
Russia imported $43 billion worth of food items in 2014, and holds a big opportunity for India to tap.
India is also in talks for a free trade agreement with Russia and Customs Union members Kazakhstan and Belarus.
India’s total exports to Russia last fiscal were just $2.15 billion, which was a small fraction of total Russian imports worth $318 billion.