It is necessary to obtain quality certificate for export of sesame to America

11-Nov-2024 07:12 PM

Yes, it is now mandatory for Indian exporters to obtain a quality certificate before exporting sesame seeds to the United States.

This requirement will be effective starting November 16, 2024. The quality certificate must be issued by the Indian Oilseeds and Produce Export Promotion Council (IOPEPC), which is authorized by the Union Ministry of Commerce.

The decision comes in response to complaints that some shipments of sesame from India were being stopped by U.S. authorities due to excessive pesticide residues in the product, which exceeded the approved limits.

As of now, obtaining this certificate was voluntary, but the government has made it mandatory to prevent delays and ensure the smooth export of sesame to the U.S. market.

The IOPEPC is already responsible for issuing quality certificates for sesame exports to the European Union, which has stringent quality control measures.

India is a major global exporter of sesame, fulfilling about a quarter of the world’s demand, and it has a strong export presence in markets like the U.S., the EU, China, South Korea, and others.

By enforcing this requirement, the Indian government aims to strengthen the quality control of sesame exports and avoid any disruption in trade, especially with major markets like the U.S.