Russia's Ban Hits Indian Leaf Exports

Source from:  tr.itsmyiq.com Mar 20, 2008 03/24/2008

India's leaf tobacco exports to Russia dropped by more than 90 per cent last month following a ban imposed by Moscow on a wide range of Indian agricultural products, according to a report in The Hindu. Russia's phytosanitary watchdog, Rosselkhoznadzor, suspended the import of all plant products from India on January 28 after a grain pest, Khapra beetle, was allegedly found in a consignment of Indian sesame seeds at the Black Sea port of Novorossiisk. However, under pressure from the tea lobby, it later relaxed the ban on the import of bulk tea. India's tobacco exports to Russia in February reached 114 tonnes worth Rs3.6 million, down from 1,576 tonnes worth Rs123.5 million during the same month of last year. Indian tobacco is said to account for about 10-12 per cent of Russia's leaf tobacco imports. Enditem