Russia lifts ban on Indian seafood imports

The Russian government has allowed 46 Indian seafood companies to re-start their exports to the country in lieu with the signing of a protocol between India and Russia. Chairperson of Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) had recently visited Russia and sorted out the various issues pertaining to exports to that country.

Russia had banned import from India during June this year, and later lifted the ban due to the initiatives made by the chairperson of MPEDA.

In order to enhance import from India a delegation from Russia had visited India in December last year. Russia had insisted to sign a protocol for doing business with India, which did not happen and hence the ban was imposed.

Exports to Russia had grown by 110 per cent in 2008-09. Total exports were 4,500 tonnes valued at Rs 35 crore in 2007-08 and this went up to 9,400 tonnes valued at Rs 115 crore in 2008-09. All the 46 companies had been exporting to Russia for the last two years.