Mar 31, 2009Agreement Opens Russia for U.S. Potato Shipments
According to the National Potato Council, on March 18, U.S. and Russian governments signed an agreement that opened Russia for shipments of U.S. fresh potatoes.
The agreement is the first agreement of its kind between the two countries, according to NPC’s “Insider Report.” Russia has approved fresh potato shipments from all U.S. states, however shipments must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate that states the consignment is free from certain pests, including Columbia Root Knot Nematode. Import permits also will be required prior to shipments. Previously, limited amounts of U.S. fresh potatoes had been exported to the Russian Far East, but the agreement will allow exports to European Russia as well.
