The ban imposed by Russia on marine produce imports from United States, Australia, European Union and Canada may create opportunities for Indian producers to increase exports to Russia.
The Indo-Russia consultants and export firms have become active and are contacting major Indian seafood exporters to fill the gap and book more consignments to Russia.
After the separatist violence in Eastern Ukraine set the stage for Russian invasion and the US blaming Russia for Malaysian Airlines Passenger Flight MH17 crash recently, Russia has imposed embargo on food imports from US, Canada, Australia and European Union. The banned items are diary products, meat, fish, shell fish, fruits and vegetables from those countries.
The Indo-Russian consulting firms have come forward to support the companies and producers who want to step up seafood exports to Russia. Indian produces meat, shrimp, fish, fruits and vegetables which can be exported to Russian market, which was in need, after snapping trade relations with US, say the consulting firms.
According to the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) authorities, India is exporting 7,400 tonnes seafood including shrimp and other fish varieties, valued about Rs. 310 crore, to Russia a year. The marine products are being exported through air and waterways.
“Russia is importing cheese, fruits, fish, poultry, pork and vegetables from other countries. Chances are high for India to increase seafood exports to Russia at this juncture. Some Indo-US and Indo-Russia consulting firms are offering services to find Russian buyers and negotiate with them if Indian exporters are ready to export enough volume of marine products,” said MPEDA Vijayawada region deputy director S. Kandan.
MPEDA is also trying to increase marine food exports to Russia by contacting major exporters which can fetch good foreign exchange to India, Dr. Kandan said.
