Russia Lifts Ban on Punjab Potatoes, Allows 101 Exporters to Resume Shipments

Russia has lifted its ban on potato imports from Punjab, allowing 101 Pakistani exporters to resume shipments from July 7 after reviewing Pakistan’s phytosanitary control system, providing a major boost to the country’s agricultural exports.

The decision was formally communicated by Russia’s Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance to Pakistan’s Ministry of National Food Security and Research. However, the Russian authority barred two Pakistani exporters from shipping potatoes after finding they had failed to meet the required phytosanitary standards.

According to Pakistan’s trade mission in Moscow, Russia approved imports from Punjab based on guarantees provided by Pakistan’s Department of Plant Protection and a review of exporters and their planned shipment volumes.

The two excluded exporters were found to have violated the phytosanitary quarantine requirements of the Eurasian Economic Union during potato exports to Russia in 2025.

Pakistan has been working to restore market access since February, when it submitted pest status records and laboratory reports confirming the absence of the pests and diseases cited by Russian authorities. In May 2025, Russia had suspended potato imports from Punjab over concerns related to the Potato Tuber Moth and Tomato Wilt virus.

Earlier, Russia had already allowed three Pakistani exporters to resume shipments from April 8. Those exporters included Chase International, Zahid Kinnow Grading and Waxing Plant, and National Fruit.

The reopening of the Russian market comes as Pakistan harvests a bumper potato crop of around 12 million metric tons, with nearly 4 million metric tons available for export. Officials expect the decision to help reduce surplus stocks, stabilize domestic potato prices, support farmers, and generate additional foreign exchange earnings.