Saudi lifts ban on green chilly imports from India

Its authorities had imposed a temporary ban in May 2015 on sub-standard quality of goods shipped by Indian exporters

Saudi Arabia has lifted the seven-month-old ban on import of green chilly from India. In 2013-14, Saudi had imported 3,045 tonnes of green chilli worth $2.3 million from India.

The phytosanitary authority of Saudi Arabia had imposed a temporary ban on import of green chilly in May 2015 over the sub-standard quality of goods shipped by Indian exporters. The authority had set quality specification of European standard for allowing import of green chilly from India.  “Saudi Arabia authorities have lifted the temporary ban imposed on import of green chilly from India. Exporters are hereby advised to follow the strict guidelines to start exports,” an Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority statement said.

Apeda data showed a 31 per cent decline in green chilly exports in FY15 at 32,138 tonnes compared to 46,540 tonnes in the previous year.

Despite such a steep drop in volume terms, green chilly shipment exports in value terms recorded a marginal decline at $22 million in 2014-15 against $23 million in the previous year. In 2012-13, India’s green chilly exports were 35,992 tonnes worth $17 million.

With 1,267 tonnes worth $850,000, Saudi Arabia slipped to the fourth position in green chilly exports from India in 2014-15 only after the United Arab Emirates (19,561 tonnes worth $14 million), the UK (2,244 tonnes valued $2.63 million) and Qatar (2,345 tonnes worth $1.57 million).

In 2013-14, however, Saudi Arabia was the third largest destination of Indian green chilly with 3,046 tonnes worth $2.33 million. “Opening up of Saudi Arabian market is the result of our extreme efforts and continuous dialogues with the authorities there. We assured them that Indian exporters would adhere to the quality specification set by the Saudi Arabian phytosanitary authority,” said R Ravindra, deputy general manager (in-charge of green chilly), Apeda.

Apeda has advised interested Indian exporters to take utmost care with respect to quality and adhere to Saudi Arabian import norms. The procedure for export of vegetables is an attempt to facilitate adhering to the quality requirements. Therefore, Apeda suggested exporters to take all necessary precautions and care before exports.

SPICING CHILL
Top five destinations of green chilly fresh / chilled exports
Country	2012-13		2013-14		2014-15
	Quantity (tonnes)	Value ($ Million)	Quantity (tonnes)	Value ($ Million)	Quantity (tonnes)	Value ($ Million)
United Arab Emirates	28881.81	13.38	26039.66	12.79	19561.56	13.73
United Kingdom	1464.53	0.89	1368.9	1.16	2244.02	2.63
Qatar	501.4	0.28	672.25	0.39	2344.89	1.57
Saudi Arabia	679.37	0.46	3045.87	2.33	1266.69	0.85
Pakistan	2488.16	0.98	11500.71	4.39	1886.67	0.78

Source: DGCIS