The Russian market is now again open to Dutch seed potatoes . This was confirmed Secretary John Gottschall of the Dutch Potato Organisation ( NAO ) this morning. Export is possible for seed potatoes which are in the list put together compiled by NAO in consultation with the NVWA and the Ministry of Economic Affairs.
The message appeared on the Russian government’s website, and as of this week loads can be made ready for export. The opening of the market is gratifying news for the Dutch seed houses, the Russian market has been closed for Dutch seed potatoes since the summer of 2013. Gottschall believes that the opening of the Russian market is mainly due to the additional information provided regarding the phytosanitary background to the Russians.
For Dutch ware potatoes the opening of the Russian market is not yet in sight. "The intention is that the Russian Plant Protection Service will do a system audit. Depending on the conclusions the Russian market could open but in the short term that is not yet on the agenda. However, this has been gratifying news for the seed sector, " Gottschall states.
That is confirmed by Frédéric Rosseneu from Euro Patat , "This week the inspectors will also be in Poland, Germany and France these three countries should be quickly eligible to start the export."
In late February, Russia examined Dutch seed potatoes and a number of samples were taken to Russia. These were fully analyzed and based on those results, the Russians agreed to restart the export of seed potatoes. Major exporting countries for seed potatoes are the Netherlands, Finland and then Denmark, the United Kingdom and Poland.
All the products will be checked again upon arrival in Russia. Usually this goes well and everything will be excepted.
