Saudi bans Indian chili over pesticide levels

Saudi Arabia has banned the import of Indian green chilies because of high pesticide levels, Indian officials have confirmed.

The ban comes into effect from 30 May. Indian diplomats in Saudi Arabia are working with the Saudi government to resolve the issue.

It has been brought to the attention of the authorities here that in recent vegetable consignments from India, there have been interceptions of higher than permissible levels of residues of pesticides,” said a statement from the Saudi Ministry of Agriculture.

Saudi Arabia is the fifth-largest importer of Indian vegetables in the world.