Saudi Arabia lifts ban on import of green chilli from India

Ban had been imposed in May 2015 due to non-conformity to European standards set by Saudi's phytosanitary authority

Saudi Arabia has lifted a seven-month-old ban on import of green chilli from India. The Arab nation had imported 3,045 tonnes of Indian green chilli, valued at  $2.33 million, in In 2013-14. Thereafter, the volume of shipments began declining.

The phytosanitary authority of Saudi Arabia had imposed a temporary ban on import of green chilli in May 2015 over sub-standard quality of goods shipped by Indian exporters. Saudi Arabia's phytosanitary authority had set quality specification of European standard for allowing import of green chilli from India.

"Saudi Arabia authorities have lifted the temporary ban imposed on import of green chilli from India. Exporters are hereby advised to follow the strict guidelines set by Saudi Arabia to start exports of green chilli," said Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda) in a statement.

Data collated by Apeda showed a 31 per cent decline in exports of green chilli from India in the financial year 2014-15, at 32,138.19 tonnes, as compared to 46,540.15 tonnes in the previous year. Despite such a steep decline in volume terms, shipments in value term recorded only a marginal decline at $22.23 million in 2014-15 as against $22.96 million in the previous year. In 2012-13, however, India's green chilli exports were recorded at 35,991.97 tonnes worth $16.82 million.

With 1,266.69 tonnes worth $0.85 million, Saudi Arabia slipped to the fourth position in terms of green chilli exports from India in 2014-15 only after United Arab Emirates (19,561.56 tonnes worth $13.73 million), United Kingdom (2,244.02 tonnes, $2.63 million) and Qatar (2,344.89 tonnes worth $1.57 million).

In 2013-14, however, Saudi Arabia was the third largest destination of Indian green chilli with 3,045.87 tonnes worth $2.33 million.

"Opening up of Saudi Arabian market is the result of our extreme efforts and continuous dialogues with the authority there. We assured them that Indian exporters would adhere to the quality specification set by the Saudi Arabian phytosanitary authority," said R Ravindra, Deputy General Manager (in charge of green chilli), Apeda.

Apeda has advised interested Indian exporters to take utmost care with respect to quality and adhere to Saudi Arabian import norms. The procedure for export of vegetables is an attempt to facilitate adhering to the quality requirements. Therefore, Apeda suggested exporters to take all necessary precautions and care before exports.

"More than opening up of its market, there used to strengthen backward linkages to have full control, monitoring and supervision of specified quality," said Ravindra.