Russia Restricts Imports and Transit of Fruit From Armenia

Russia’s Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor) is restricting imports of cherries, sweet cherries, apricots, plums, peaches, nectarines and grapes from Armenia starting June 2. Their transit through Russian territory to other Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) countries is also being banned.

The Russian agency says it has recorded an increasing number of cases involving the detection of quarantine pests in Armenian fruit. The Russian side links this to the abolition of Armenia’s Ministry of Agriculture.

“The increasing number of detections indicates the consequences of the liquidation of Armenia’s Ministry of Agriculture, whose powers were transferred to the Ministry of Economy as part of a structural reform.

Given that products supplied from Armenia have recently failed to comply with the phytosanitary requirements of the EAEU and Russia, it can be assumed that Armenia’s Ministry of Economy is experiencing structural problems and is unable to cope with the powers assigned to it after the abolition of the Ministry of Agriculture,” Rosselkhoznadzor said.

Russia had previously banned imports from Armenia of fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, leafy greens, strawberries, flowers, mineral water, brandy and wines produced by three Armenian manufacturers.

Pressure from Russia on Armenia has intensified in response to Yerevan’s policy of closer integration with the European Union. EAEU member states have also stated that Armenia should hold a referendum on joining the European Union or remaining in the EAEU. Russia has also recalled its ambassador from Armenia for consultations.