In a significant boost for Pakistan’s agricultural exports, Russia has officially allowed 101 Pakistani exporters to resume potato shipments starting July 7, reopening a key international market for the country’s farming sector. The decision comes after Russian authorities reviewed Pakistan’s phytosanitary control measures and found them satisfactory.
The approval was communicated to Pakistan’s Ministry of National Food Security and Research through the country’s trade mission in Moscow. Under the new arrangement, potatoes from Punjab can once again enter the Russian market, provided exports are accompanied by guarantees from Pakistan’s Department of Plant Protection confirming compliance with health and safety standards.
However, two Pakistani exporters remain barred from shipping potatoes to Russia after allegedly failing to meet quarantine and phytosanitary requirements during previous exports in 2025. Russian authorities stated that these companies violated import regulations set by members of the Eurasian Economic Union.
The reopening of the Russian market is expected to provide much-needed relief to Pakistani potato growers. Pakistan has produced an estimated 12 million metric tonnes of potatoes this season, with nearly 4 million tonnes available for export. Access to Russia is expected to help reduce surplus stocks, stabilize domestic prices, and generate valuable foreign exchange earnings.
Pakistan had been working for months to regain market access after Russia imposed restrictions on potato imports in 2025 over concerns about pests and plant diseases. Pakistani authorities submitted laboratory reports and pest surveillance data to demonstrate that the crop met international standards, leading to the latest approval.
The decision marks an important milestone for Pakistan’s agricultural exports and is expected to strengthen trade ties between Islamabad and Moscow while creating new opportunities for the country’s potato industry.
