'Russia wants to increase fruit and vegetable imports'

Co-Chairman of Pakistan Fruit, Vegetables Exporters Importers and Merchants Association (PFVA) Waheed Ahmed, who led a 20-member delegation of fruit and vegetable merchants to Russia last week, told Business Recorder that Russia has expressed keen interest in increasing fruit and vegetable imports from Pakistan.
Russian authorities are willing to extend preferential treatment to Pakistani exporters in finding their share in the huge two billion dollars fruit and vegetable market, he added. The Russian Quarantine department has sought for a list of Pakistan companies which meet Russian quarantine standards and in this connection an understanding has been reached between PFVA and Russian Quarantine department, he said.
Waheed Ahmed is confident that present export of fruits and vegetables worth 150 million dollars could reach 500 million dollars in next five years. To help Pakistani fruit/vegetable exporting firms for qualifying the quarantine rules of Russia a memorandum of understanding will also be signed between PFVA and Russian Quarantine department soon. The Russian Quarantine department while accepting the invitation of PFVA has assured to visit Pakistan in the near future. The delegation led by Waheed had also a fruitful meeting with Alexander Isayev, the Head of Federal Services for Vet nary and Fito sanitary surveillance (Rossellkhoznadzor). Aftab H Khan, the Deputy Head of Pakistani Mission in Russia was also present on the occasion.
The Russian officials were informed by Waheed the global good agricultural practices are being widely adopted in Pakistan. He informed that many Pakistani exporters are willing to export potato and other agricultural products to Russia in view of the Russian ban on the same things from EU. However they needed to follow the quarantine demands of Moscow besides allowing more firms to export to the Russian market.
Waheed said that Russian side was also satisfied with measures taken by Pakistan for meeting quality demands. The Quarantine department has also agreed to send a delegation of experts to inspect the installation and facilities including potato farm, pack houses and procedure of shipment in the country. To formulate the procedure and documentation of the planned MoU besides having direct interaction between the Russian department and PFVA, a committee will also be constituted by the association soon. Waheed said the MoU would help Pakistani exporters to resolve issues quickly and it would also pave the way to get maximum share in Russian market where doors have been closed for EU, Australia and Canada. Improved trade relations with Russia would also benefit the whole chain of exports including farmers, traders and exporters, he added.