ISLAMABAD, Nov 23: Russia on Friday announced lifting of ban on the import of Pakistani citrus fruit and hinted towards re-opening its market for the Pakistani mango and finally rice in the near future.

After three days of deliberations held here, the Pakistani delegation led by the federal food ministry’s additional secretary Saleem Jhagra convinced the Russian quarantine team to announce lifting of the ban, which had adversely affected the overall performance of the country’s agricultural exports and its future prospects.

Russia had banned import of Pakistani agricultural products in the end of year 2006 after its phyto-sanitary watchdog found an insect ‘Khapra Beetle’ in a rice shipment sent from Pakistan.

Meanwhile, a notification has been issued from Moscow directing the country’s customs authorities to immediately facilitate the unhindered access of Pakistani citrus to its market.

“This is a major breakthrough and success for our team,” Mr Jhagra told Dawn soon after the hours long meeting with the Russian team. He said the notification was issued from Moscow as the country’s quarantine officials in Islamabad called their high ups back home and informed them about their decision.

“Now, the seven Central Asian countries, once part of the USSR, will also hopefully re-open their markets for the Pakistani farm products,” Mr Jaghra said.

He said these countries followed the Russian food and health safety standards and never allowed import of products, which had been banned by Russia.

The additional secretary said that the export of mango to Russia would also be resumed and another team from Moscow would visit Islamabad to discuss lifting of ban on Pakistani rice.

According to an agreement reached between the two countries a few Russian quarantine inspectors would stay in Sargodha and would inspect kinno consignments meant for Russia.

Hence, there is no chance that the Pakistani consignments would be turned back from Russia as the Russian inspectors would stay here throughout the citrus season, the official added.

Before the ban, Pakistan exported 30,000 tons of citrus to Russia, about 15 per cent of its total export (620,000 tons).

It is hoped that the Pakistani citrus exports to Russia may be double this season due to the increased production of the small size kinno – a hot favourite of the Russian consumers.

The Pakistani inter-ministerial team, which also included representatives of the private sector, had visited Moscow in August to discuss the issue, which ultimately led to the suspension of the ban.