September 16, 2010

Russia to examine Bangladesh shrimp processing equipment

The Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance of the Russian Federation (Rosselkhoznadzor) will visit Bangladesh next month to check on the local shrimp producers' processing facilities.

The Russian quality inspection team might visit for 7-10 days in October. They have earlier visited Bangladesh in May 2009.

S Humayun Kabir, director of Bangladesh Frozen Foods Exporters' Association (BFFEA) said, "It is good news for us as Russia is a highly potential market for Bangladeshi shrimp but the exporters fear they might lose the market, if the government delays execution of the MoU. The Department of Fisheries (DoF) and the Department of Federal Service for Phytosanitary Surveillance of the Russian Federation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 2009, under which Russia had the right to select any shrimp exporter from Bangladesh."

In the past, Russian importers used to buy small quantities of Bangladeshi frozen food through non-formal channels, mostly from importers in Europe.

Russian inspectors examined seven Bangladeshi shrimp processing firms in May 2009 and gave the clearance to four after examination of the quality control facilities and standards of Bangladeshi food processing plants.

DoF director general Mahbubur Rahman Khan said, "We are hopeful that we will get positive news from the team. This time we will supply a list of few companies which are performing better in quality control issue. Besides, we will also talk about the proposal to Russia to select and approve the 74 EU-recommended Bangladeshi companies as per exporters' demand."

Insiders said they are eager and ready to export shrimp to Russia, as the facilities on offer including price and advance are very good.