Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — India has approved imports of fresh chili peppers and pomegranates from Uzbekistan, subject to established phytosanitary requirements. The decision came shortly after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to Uzbekistan on 29–30 August.
India’s Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare issued a notification on 31 August allowing Uzbek products to enter the Indian market under a phytosanitary risk management system.
For fresh chili pepper shipments, the requirements include the absence of Aculops lycopersici, known as the tomato russet mite, and Tomato brown rugose fruit virus. Shipments must also be free of plant debris and soil.
Separate phytosanitary requirements apply to pomegranates. Shipments must be free of plant debris, weed seeds and soil. They must also be accompanied by a certificate confirming the absence of Euzophera bigella, known as the quince moth; Lobesia botrana, or the European grapevine moth; Pseudococcus comstocki, also known as the Comstock mealybug; and Botrytis cinerea, commonly known as grey mould.
The opening of the Indian market to Uzbek agricultural products is seen as a step toward strengthening bilateral cooperation in agriculture and food security. It is also expected to support the development of agro-food supply chains, export opportunities and bilateral trade.
The prospects for the two products on the Indian market may differ. Uzbek chili peppers are expected to remain a niche product. Pomegranate supplies from Uzbekistan, meanwhile, could increase competition for Indian producers in major growing states, including Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh.
India is the world’s largest producer, consumer and exporter of chili peppers. About 70% of the chili peppers grown in the country are consumed domestically, while the remainder is exported. Chili peppers account for about 31% of India’s spice exports.
The decision to open the market to imports came shortly after Narendra Modi’s visit to Uzbekistan. During the visit, the two sides expressed their intention to strengthen economic ties and expand cooperation in agriculture.
