Bangladesh to resume potato export to Russia

State-run Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation and private entity National Group Russia for Potato Export are expected to sign a memorandum of understanding today over the export of potato from Bangladesh to Russia.

Agriculture Minister Muhammad Abdur Razzaque is scheduled to be present at the event in InterContinental Dhaka, according to the Ministry of Agriculture.

On May 6, 2015, Russia imposed a temporary ban on the import of Bangladeshi potatoes citing the presence of bacteria Ralstonia, which results in wilting and yellowing of leaves and stunted plants.

The ministry said 20,000 tonnes of potatoes were exported from Bangladesh to Russia in 2015. Due to the country's sanctions, exports fell from 91,000 tonnes to 40,000 tonnes in the fiscal year 2015-16.

Abdur Razzaque:
 

"We have taken the initiative to export potatoes to Russia. Export will begin this year."

He meet with Russian Ambassador Alexander Vikentyevich Mantytskiy at Bangladesh Secretariat recently. Bangladesh is the seventh-largest producer of the vegetable, and it exports less than 100,000 tonnes out of its annual production of nearly 1 crore tonnes, said the ministry.

Bangladesh exported 64,773 tonnes of potato to Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Myanmar, Nepal, Singapore, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and other countries in fiscal year 2020-21, it said. Bangladesh exported 80,437 tonnes in 2021-22 and 11,235 tonnes till November this fiscal year, it added.