Vietnam lifts ban on Indian groundnut import

Development is significant as Vietnam contributed 26% of overall groundnut exports worth at Rs 1,251 cr in 2014-15

Vietnam has lifted the nine-month ban on groundnut import from India, which it had imposed in April 2015 over quality concerns over groundnut of Indian origin. The development assumes significance as Vietnam is a major export market for Indian groundnut. Exports to that country constituted 26 per cent of the overall groundnut exports in 2014-15, at 183,000 tonnes worth Rs 1,251.57 crore.

The Indian Oilseeds & Produce Export Promotion Council (IOPEPC) had been striving hard for revocation of the temporary suspension on Indian groundnuts since April 2015. The constant follow-up at different levels in India as well as in Vietnam has resulted in the latter lifting the ban.

“This is an important event for Indian groundnut export sector since Vietnam is one of the most important markets,” said Sanjiv Sawla, chairman of IOPEPC.

Cautioning exporters, Sawla stressed on the need to focus on quality of groundnuts since most countries are applying stringent norms on import of food products.

Vietnam’s ministry of agriculture and rural development said the country’s plant protection department would issue permits to Vietnamese importers to import groundnut from India.

Meanwhile, Sawla said IOPEPC would closely examine the procedure for groundnut shipments to Vietnam. Processors and exporters will have to take extra precaution for groundnut shipments to Vietnam.