All 4 cos can now export frozen foods to Russia

The Russian authority has withdrawn the temporary restriction on another Bangladeshi shrimp exporting company and following this initiative all four local companies are now able to export frozen foods to that country.
"Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance of Russian Federation (Rosselkhoznadzor) lifted temporary ban imposed on Fresh Foods Ltd from April 18," Principal Scientific Officer (PSO) of Fish Inspection and Quality Control (FIQC) under Department of Fisheries (DoF) Nittya Ranjan Biswas told the FE.
He said Rosselkhoznadzor has uploaded the withdrawal letter on its website in English language and Bangladesh's Commercial Counsellor to Russia Noor Md Mahbubul Haq also sent a letter to this effect Wednesday last (April 23) to the DoF Director General.
Earlier, Rosselkhoznadzor lifted ban on Bagerhat Sea Food Ltd on February 6, 2014, ARK Seafood Ltd on March 4, 2014 and Apex Food Ltd on March 19, 2014.
These three companies have started procedure to export frozen foods to Russia.
ARK Seafood Ltd Executive Director Md Anwarul Haque said: "The first shipment to Russia will leave Chittagong port within a day or two. Another shipment will be sent there soon."
Bagerhat Sea Food Ltd got the temporary restriction in early 2010 and the other three got the same last year with Apex Food Ltd getting it in August, ARK Sea Food Ltd in October and Fresh Foods Ltd in November. Frozen food export to Russia has remained totally stopped since November 2013.
Four Bangladeshi companies -- Bagerhat Sea Food Ltd, Fresh Foods Ltd, Apex Food Ltd and ARK Sea Food Ltd -- got approval from the Rosselkhoznadzor in September 2009.
Bangladesh Frozen Foods Exporters Association (BFFEA) Executive Director Abul Bashar said: "We export around seven per cent out of our total shrimps to Russia and frozen foods worth Tk 3.0 to 3.5 billion are exported annually to the country."
"We urged the authorities concerned to take necessary steps to pave the way for some 78 Bangladeshi exporters who are enlisted to export frozen foods to the European Union countries," he said.
Bangladesh exported frozen foods worth US$ 495.84 million during July to March this fiscal year (FY), 2013-14, compared to $ 396.60 million of the same period last fiscal, Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) data showed.
The government has set a target of exporting $ 578.77 million worth of frozen foods this fiscal.