Russia expects to increase imports of tropical fruit from India - Rosselkhoznadzor

MOSCOW. July 10 (Interfax) - Russia expects to increase imports of tropical fruit, foremost mangoes, from India, which is expected to be facilitated by the development of the North-South transport corridor, Russian plant and animal health watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor said following a Russian delegation's participation in the India Mango Festival - Aamrus 2023.

Russian consumers are already well acquainted with Indian products, including tea, coffee, spices and seasonal fruit and vegetables, the adviser to Rosselkhoznadzor's director, Vasily Lavrovsky said in an agency press release. However, Indian mangoes, which are common on the world market, still have virtually no presence in Russia, he said.

The festival will hopefully help importers establish long-term cooperation with Indian producers, Lavrovsky said.

The Rosselkhoznadzor and India's Agriculture Ministry have carefully studies the issue of phytosanitary safety as regards mango shipments, he said.

"There are currently no restrictions for imports of tropical fruit into Russia, and in recent years there has not been a single case of quarantinable harmful organisms being discovered in mango imports," the watchdog said.

Given the development of the North-South international transport corridor, which can ensure fast and free shipment of goods from the Indian port of Mumbai to the port in St. Petersburg, the outlook for shipments of Indian agricultural products to Russia is favourable, Rosselkhoznadzor said.