Head of Rosselkhoznadzor denied the political motive behind the restrictions on imports from Armenia
17.06.2026,
11:53
Sergey Dankvert, head of Rosselkhoznadzor, stated that restrictions on the supply of Armenian products to Russia are not due to political reasons, but to shortcomings in the internal quality control system.
YEREVAN, June 17. /ARKA/. Sergey Dankvert, head of Rosselkhoznadzor, stated that restrictions on the supply of Armenian products to Russia are not due to political reasons, but to shortcomings in the internal quality control system.
In an interview with Rossiyskaya Gazeta, he commented on statements coming from Yerevan about the politicization of the Russian regulator's decisions. In his opinion, the main problem remains the lack of an effective system of cooperation and production control in Armenian agriculture.
"There are a large number of small farmers who grow produce and export it. But between production and shipment, there is virtually no system of internal control or cooperation. Thousands of bunches of greens are collected in a single vehicle, after which regulatory authorities must inspect huge volumes of produce. This is physically impossible," he said.
As the head of the regulator noted, control should begin not at the border, but directly at the production stage.
"When there is cooperation, production control, and accountability among producer associations, the system works effectively. This is precisely what is missing today. Therefore, the reasons for the restrictions lie in the quality and safety of products, not politics," he said.
Dankvert also stated that the Russian agency maintains working contacts with the Armenian Food Service and does not consider it the cause of the problems.
According to the head of Rosselkhoznadzor, decisions to impose restrictions are made based on the long-term operational history of enterprises, laboratory data, and product safety monitoring results.
Restrictions on the supply of products from Armenia to Russia
Effective June 12, 2026, Russia has restricted the import of all quarantine products originating and shipped from Armenia, as well as their transit through Russia to EAEU member states.
The restrictions imposed by Rosselkhoznadzor include, in particular, vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers. Previously, Russian regulators also imposed restrictions on the supply of Jermuk mineral water and certain types of alcoholic beverages from Armenia.
Rosselkhoznadzor cited the "systematic detection of quarantine organisms" in plant products and flowers from Armenia as the reason for the restrictions. It noted that the ban will remain in effect until a specific algorithm for ensuring the safety and traceability of shipped goods is developed.
In an interview with Rossiyskaya Gazeta, he commented on statements coming from Yerevan about the politicization of the Russian regulator's decisions. In his opinion, the main problem remains the lack of an effective system of cooperation and production control in Armenian agriculture.
"There are a large number of small farmers who grow produce and export it. But between production and shipment, there is virtually no system of internal control or cooperation. Thousands of bunches of greens are collected in a single vehicle, after which regulatory authorities must inspect huge volumes of produce. This is physically impossible," he said.
As the head of the regulator noted, control should begin not at the border, but directly at the production stage.
"When there is cooperation, production control, and accountability among producer associations, the system works effectively. This is precisely what is missing today. Therefore, the reasons for the restrictions lie in the quality and safety of products, not politics," he said.
Dankvert also stated that the Russian agency maintains working contacts with the Armenian Food Service and does not consider it the cause of the problems.
According to the head of Rosselkhoznadzor, decisions to impose restrictions are made based on the long-term operational history of enterprises, laboratory data, and product safety monitoring results.
Restrictions on the supply of products from Armenia to Russia
Effective June 12, 2026, Russia has restricted the import of all quarantine products originating and shipped from Armenia, as well as their transit through Russia to EAEU member states.
The restrictions imposed by Rosselkhoznadzor include, in particular, vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers. Previously, Russian regulators also imposed restrictions on the supply of Jermuk mineral water and certain types of alcoholic beverages from Armenia.
Rosselkhoznadzor cited the "systematic detection of quarantine organisms" in plant products and flowers from Armenia as the reason for the restrictions. It noted that the ban will remain in effect until a specific algorithm for ensuring the safety and traceability of shipped goods is developed.
