'Russia weighs India's plan to lift buffalo meat, agri export'

Russia is considering a formal Indian request to expand the list of Indian suppliers for buffalo meat, seafood and other livestock products amid ongoing talks to open mutual access for agricultural products, Russian trade commissioner Alexander Rybas said.

- Shashank Matto & Rhik Kundu

The two countries, Rybas said in an email interview, are also discussing the development of the Northern Sea Route (NSR) to serve as an alternative transportation route for goods to Asian markets. Edited excerpts: 

What are the plans for boosting agri trade?

Russia and India have been conducting long-term negotiations on the mutual opening of access to crop and animal husbandry products. There is some progress here. In January 2023, regulatory authorities of the two countries agreed on veterinary certificates for the export of sheep wool, leather raw materials and animal feed from Russia to India.

This year, we plan to open mutual access for a number of agricultural products. Currently, Russia is considering India's application to expand the list of Indian suppliers of buffalo meat, seafood and aquaculture, as well as other livestock products. In addition, negotiations are underway between major Russian importers and Indian producers of tropical canned fruit (mango, pineapple, avocado, etc.).