Russia allows buffalo meat imports from India
December 4, 2014, 2:33 pm

Following the near total food imports ban imposed by Russia on the US and certain EU nations in August, BRICS exports to Russia are growing substantially, new data revealed [Xinhua]

“Russia’s veterinary and phytosanitary service Rosselkhoznadzor together with Kazakhstan’s Agriculture Ministry has included Indian buffalo meat producers to the register of organisations and individuals involved in the production, processing and storage of goods transported to the territory of the Customs Union (of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan),” the Russian agricultural watchdog said.

The Russian watchdog will now send its inspector to India to exert permanent control over consignments of buffalo meat destined for the regional Customs Union. Earlier on Wednesday, the body limited beef imports from Italy, Hungary and Montenegro.

The announcement comes days ahead of President Vladimir Putin’s visit to the country.

Rosselkhoznadzor spokesperson, Yulia Trofimova stressed that Indian enterprises were allowed to supply buffalo meat to Russia starting from December 4.

Following the near total food imports ban imposed by Russia on the US and certain EU nations in August, BRICS exports to Russia are growing substantially, new data revealed.

Apart from beef, Russian authorities had said earlier there were also plans to certify other Indian agricultural producers to supply poultry, powdered eggs and dairy products.

Russia is opening its markets for Indian buffalo meat after a long gap.

India’s livestock population includes, 88 million buffaloes, which is 58 per cent of the world’s buffalo population.

The country has exported 14.49 lakh tonnes of buffalo meat products worth of Rs. 26,457.79 crores in 2013-14.

Four Indian companies in total have been certified to supply buffalo meat to Russia, offering prospective additional volumes to replace other nations’ imports blocked in response to the West’s Ukraine—related sanctions.

India’s BRICS partner Brazil is the world’s top exporter of beef and chicken.

The Kremlin had in August approved a ban on food imports from countries that had sanctioned Russia over the Ukraine crisis. More than a third of Russia’s agricultural imports came from the EU. Russia banned all imports of US food products and certain goods from the European Union, Australia, Canada and Norway.

Meanwhile, Chinese company Baorong has opened a special customs zone for Russia for direct exports of fruits and vegetables across the Russia-China border following the EU ban.

Russian President Putin will visit India next week to strengthen bilateral strategic ties.

TBP and Agencies