India has authorized the import of Uzbek chili peppers and pomegranates

India has authorized the import of Uzbek chili peppers and pomegranates

India has granted permission for the import of fresh chili peppers and pomegranates from Uzbekistan, subject to compliance with established phytosanitary requirements. This decision was made shortly after the state visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Uzbekistan on August 29–30.

On August 31, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare of India published a notification on the admission of Uzbek products under the phytosanitary risk management system.

For shipments of fresh chili peppers, it is necessary to confirm the absence of tomato russet mite and tomato brown rugose fruit virus. In addition, consignments must be free of soil and plant debris.

Separate requirements are stipulated for pomegranates. The products must not contain soil, weed seeds, or plant debris. A certificate is also required confirming the absence of a number of pests and diseases, including the quince moth, European grapevine moth, Comstock mealybug, and grey mould.

Access to the Indian market opens up additional opportunities for the export of Uzbek agricultural products and expands agri-food trade between the two countries.

India is among the world's largest producers and consumers of chili peppers. At the same time, the bulk of the products grown in the country goes to the domestic market, while about 31% of Indian spice exports are accounted for by chili peppers.

The decision to allow Uzbek chili peppers and pomegranates into the Indian market was made against the backdrop of intensifying economic and agricultural cooperation between Uzbekistan and India.