Groundnut and sesame seed export to Russia is facing a crisis now, following Russia's decision to implement strict quality controls for imports from India.
A delegation from Russia is in India now to authorise some laboratories to certify the quality of the commodities exported to Russia. The delegation is visiting various labs and processing units from various parts of the country, including Mundra port.
Russia had banned export of groundnut and sesame seed from India on May 1 this year on the basis of quality parameters of a single consignment, which matched the commercial contract between sellers and buyers but did not match Russia's requirements.
Later, with the intervention of the Union commerce ministry, Indian Oilseeds and Produce Exporters Association (IOPEA) and Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority, Russian authorities lifted the ban that too with a rider.
Now, sesame seeds and groundnut exported to Russia should carry the certification issued by Delhi-based Sri Ram Institute for Industrial Research.
IOPEA said it has requested the Russian authorities to allow other accredited labs for certification.
The Russian delegation arrived in the country on Monday. It will visit a few laboratories, farms, processing facilities and ports to understand the export chain prior to export. The panel is to visit New Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, Mumbai, Rajkot, Jamnagar and Mundra.
