Russia seeks to import Indian fruits, vegetables

Economic sanctions imposed by the West are forcing Russia to mull other options

Faced with economic sanctions by the Western world and a retaliatory ban on import of agricultural commodities from there, Russia has evinced interest in buying a large quantity of fruits and vegetables from India.

In a letter to the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda), one of Russia’s largest chains, Retain Chain Monetka, has sought import of potato, cabbage, carrot, marrow, garlic, tomato, onion, capsicum, radish and mushroom, among others.

Consequently, Russia is looking to import agricultural commodities from elsewhere. It has also sought import of apples, oranges, banana, pomegranate, grapefruit and pears from India.

Vinod Kumar Kaul, deputy general manager in charge of the fruit and vegetable division of Apeda, advised potential exporters to contact the importer directly and apprise his section.

India currently exports agricultural commodities worth $100 million yearly to Russia.

Seeking imports
Commodity	Quantity (tonnes)
Vegetables
Potato	12,000
Cabbage	11,000
Tomato	11,000
Onion	9,400
Carrot	4,100
Capsicum	3,000
Squash/marrow	800
Mushroom	700
Radish	600
Garlic	400
Fruits
Apple	23,000
Banana	16,000
Tangerine/mandarin	7,100
Mandarin of Clementine type	7,100
Grape	7,000
Orange	5800
Pears	4,500
Plum	3,000
Lemons	2,000
Pomegranate	1,500
Kiwi	1,300
Grapefruit	1,200
Apricots	1,100
Cherry	1,000
Pineapple	600
Pomelo	600
Mineola	500
Peaches, nectarines	300