Potato exports to Russia to resume this year: Razzaque

Agriculture Minister Muhammad Abdur Razzaque on Sunday said Bangladesh will resume exporting potatoes to Russia this year.

"Prior to Russia's ban, a huge amount of potatoes used to be exported from the country. As Russia has lifted the ban, the initiative has been taken to export potatoes again," the minister told reporters after his meeting with Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh Alexander Vikentyevich Mantytskiy at the secretariat in Dhaka, according to an official release.

Russia imposed a ban on Bangladesh's potatoes owing to the detection of “brown rot” disease in potatoes in 2014. It was lifted in March 2022 as the Bangladesh government took measures to make potatoes safe and bacteria-free.

Apart from potatoes, Russia is also interested in buying mangoes, cauliflowers and cabbages from Bangladesh, the minister said.

In response, Alexander Mantytskiy said, "Bangladeshi mangoes and cauliflowers are quite delicious and of high quality. They have huge potential for export to Russia. I want to take these to Russia quickly."

During the meeting, the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to import di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) and potassium fertilisers from Russia was discussed.

Bangladesh imports potassium from Russia, Razzaque said, adding that an MoU still exists between the two countries in this regard, which will be renewed.

"At the same time, we want to bring DAP fertiliser from Russia. An MoU in this regard will be signed soon," he added.