KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's export of seafood products to Russia is expected to resume by the year-end.

This follows the discussions between Malaysia External Trade Development Corp (Matrade) and Russia's Ministry of Agriculture and the Federal Service of Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor).

Matrade said in a statement yesterday that to revoke the current ban and expedite the process of re-starting Malaysian seafood exports to Russia, Rosselkhoznadzor had proposed a memorandum of understanding to be initiated with the relevant Malaysian agency.

In January last year, Rosselkhoznadzor issued its requirements with regard to approved Malaysian seafood-processing establishments permitted to export products to Russia.

In May this year, Malaysian authorities had a meeting in Russia to further discuss import requirements.

Matrade chief executive officer Datuk Noharuddin Nordin said the discussions between Matrade and the Russian authorities were very fruitful.

"There is a clear willingness by both sides in wishing to meet all conditions in order to fast-track the recommencement of Malaysian seafood exports to Russia," Noharuddin added.

In 2009, Russia's seafood imports were valued at US$1.63bil.

Among Asean exporters, Malaysia is ranked fourth after Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia in respect of seafood exports to Russia, amounting to RM2.11mil in 2009.

Seafood exports to Russia include crustaceans (shrimp, prawn and lobster), fish and cephalopods (squid, cuttlefish and octopus).

- Bernama