Russia has officially lifted its restrictions on potato imports from Punjab, allowing 101 Pakistani exporters to resume shipments from July 7 after approving Pakistan’s phytosanitary control measures. The move is expected to provide a significant boost to the country’s agricultural exports.
The decision was conveyed by Russia’s Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance to Pakistan’s Ministry of National Food Security and Research following a review of Pakistan’s plant health and inspection system.
While most exporters have been cleared to resume trade, Russian authorities excluded two Pakistani exporters after determining they had failed to comply with the phytosanitary standards required for exports.
According to Pakistan’s trade mission in Moscow, Russia approved imports based on assurances provided by the Department of Plant Protection, which also submitted details of approved exporters and their planned shipment volumes.
The two suspended exporters were found to have violated phytosanitary quarantine regulations of the Eurasian Economic Union during potato exports to Russia in 2025.
Pakistan has been working to regain access to the Russian market since February by submitting pest status reports and laboratory test results confirming the absence of the pests and diseases highlighted by Russian authorities. In May 2025, Russia suspended potato imports from Punjab over concerns related to the Potato Tuber Moth and Tomato Wilt virus.
Earlier this year, Russia had already allowed three Pakistani exporters—Chase International, Zahid Kinnow Grading and Waxing Plant, and National Fruit—to restart potato shipments from April 8.
The reopening of the Russian market comes as Pakistan records a bumper potato harvest of around 12 million metric tons, with nearly 4 million metric tons available for export. Officials believe the renewed access will help reduce surplus supplies, stabilize domestic potato prices, support local farmers, and increase the country’s foreign exchange earnings.
