Russia agrees to lift temporary ban on some agricultural imports from Egypt

Russia has agreed to lift the temporary ban on certain agricultural imports from Egypt, said Egyptian Trade Minister Tarek Qabil in a statement on Monday.

Qabil said that the decision was a result of intensive talks with senior Russian officials including the Russia’s Ambassador to Egypt Sergei Kerbachenko.

Russia said it would temporarily suspend imports of some agricultural from Egypt starting Sept. 22, on the same day Egypt rejected Russian wheat shipment containing traces of ergot fungus.

But on Sept. 21, Egypt backtracked on its zero-tolerance policy on ergot fungus in wheat imports and reinstated the international standard, allowing up to 0.05 per cent of the fungus.

Qabil said that Egypt is committed to taking all the necessary measures to ensure the quality and safety of the agricultural goods exported to Russia.

He added that the value of agricultural products exported to Russia annually is around $350million.

According to data from the ministry, the value of Egyptian exports to Russia in 2015 is $327million, including $281million worth of agricultural products.

Source: Aswat Masriya