Russia may restrict import of flowers from Armenia "due to violations", the Armenian regulator gave an explanation (EXCLUSIVE)
YEREVAN, June 3. /ARKA/. On Tuesday, the Rosselkhoznadzor website reported "increasing violations in the supply of plant products from Armenia to Russia", in connection with which the agency may restrict the import of flowers from the republic to the Russian Federation from June 16, 2025.
The ARKA news agency requested and received a comment from the RA Food Safety Inspectorate.
The position of the Russian regulator
The statement by Rosselkhoznadzor indicates a sharp increase in the number of cut flowers imported from Armenia - up to 52 million pieces since the beginning of 2025, which is 49.7% more than in the same period in 2024 (34.7 million pieces).
It is indicated that, based on the results of quarantine phytosanitary control, Rosselkhoznadzor identified 13 cases of flower infection with western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande), and also noted multiple cases of detection of quarantine objects in other types of plant products.
"This indicates an ineffective system of control over exported products on the part of Armenia. In view of the systematic facts of detection of quarantine objects, Rosselkhoznadzor expresses serious concern. In order to prevent the deterioration of the quarantine phytosanitary situation in Russia, a letter was sent to the Food Safety Inspectorate of Armenia with a request to take comprehensive measures and strengthen control over the supplied goods," the statement says.
It is also said that in the absence of the necessary response measures and the continuation of the detection of quarantine objects, Rosselkhoznadzor will be forced to introduce temporary restrictions on the import of flower products to Russia from June 16, 2025, accompanied by Armenian phytosanitary certificates from third countries.
Reaction of the Armenian regulator
In response to a request from the ARKA agency to comment on this statement by Rosselkhoznadzor (about the infection with western flower thrips), the press secretary of the Inspection Authority, Anush Harutyunyan, stated that appropriate checks would be carried out.
Harutyunyan refuted the part of the Russian service's statement that spoke about "import of flower products to Russia accompanied by Armenian phytosanitary certificates from third countries."
"Flowers are grown exclusively on the territory of Armenia, in greenhouses. We have no need to import flowers from third countries, since the volume of locally produced plant products for export to Russia is quite sufficient," Harutyunyan emphasized.
