Global Rice News

Russia Warns Pakistan of Rice Import Ban Over Phytosanitary Concerns

Karachi, April 21 (PTI) – In a recent development, Russia has cautioned Pakistan about the possibility of a ban on rice imports if the phytosanitary concerns raised by Moscow are not addressed. The warning comes after the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (FSVPS) of Russia issued a notification citing violations of international and Russian phytosanitary requirements in a shipment of rice imported from Pakistan. The presence of a quarantine organism, namely “Megaselia scalaris (Loew),” was detected in the consignment, prompting immediate action.

Following the notification, the Pakistani trade representative at the embassy in Russia has been tasked with conducting a thorough investigation into the matter. The Russian authorities have urged the Pakistan embassy to take measures to prevent such violations in the future and ensure that all Pakistani rice exporters adhere to phytosanitary standards to safeguard the agricultural products traded between both countries. Failure to meet these standards may lead to a potential ban on rice exports from Pakistan in the future if additional complaints arise from the Russian side.

It’s worth noting that Russia had previously imposed a ban on rice imports from Pakistan in 2019 due to health safety concerns. A similar ban was imposed in December 2006 for non-compliance with food safety standards. In light of these events, Chairman of the Pakistan Rice Exporters Association, Chela Ram Kewlani, emphasized the need for caution among Pakistani rice exporters in the selection and packaging of rice for export.

India’s ban on the export of non-Basmati rice last year proved to be advantageous for Pakistan. India, being a major player in the global rice trade with a nearly 40 percent share, contributed to Pakistan’s increased exports. In December 2023 alone, Pakistan exported approximately 700,000 tonnes of rice, marking the highest monthly export for the fiscal year. This increase in export volume can be attributed to higher production, rising global demand, and elevated global prices.

The Rice Export Corporation expects a significant surge in Basmati rice exports, projecting a 60 percent jump to over a million tonnes. Furthermore, an increase of 36 percent is anticipated for non-Basmati rice, reaching 4.25 million tonnes from Pakistan. The corporation aims to export over five million metric tonnes of all types of rice in the fiscal year 2023/2024, exceeding the previous fiscal year’s exports of 3.7 million tonnes.

Source: [Take One Digital Network](https://www.takeonedigitalnetwork.com)