Russia banned import of Azerbaijani tomatoes and apples

 

The ban will take effect from December 10. According to the ROSSELKHOZNADZOR, the reason is the detection of pests in the products.

 

From December 10 Rosselkhoznadzor prohibits import of tomatoes and apples from Azerbaijan. it is connected with the fact that pests were found in the products.

 

The Service notes that it has repeatedly informed the Food Security Agency of Azerbaijan about systematic cases of detection of quarantine objects in products.

 

"Only in the period from October 22, 2020 to present 17 cases of detection of quarantine objects for the Eurasian Economic Union - South American tomato moth and eastern fructose - in fruit and vegetable products (tomatoes, apples)", - the report says.

 

Azerbaijan is the largest supplier of fresh and chilled tomatoes to RUSSIA, according to the Federal Customs Service (FCS). In 2019, this country brought to Russia 172.3 thousand tons of tomatoes for $189.1 million. The second largest importer was Turkey, which brought 93.9 thousand tons of tomatoes for $113.6 million, and the third place was CHINA (69.4 thousand tons for $84.1 million). This year, Azerbaijan is also a leader in tomatoes supply, according to statistics in the FCS database for the available period of 2020. This year Azerbaijan has delivered 153 thousand tons of tomatoes to Russia for $169.6 million, Turkey was on the second place, and Belarus was on the third place.

 

On imports of fresh apples to Russia, Azerbaijan in 2019 was in the top three, and this year - in fifth place. The largest supplier - Moldova, which in 2019 supplied to Russia 250 thousand tons of apples for $107.6 million, and this year - 182.2 thousand tons for $108.9 million. For comparison, from Azerbaijan last year came 88.5 thousand tons of fresh apples for $36.7 million, and this year - 34.5 thousand tons for $14.5 million.

 

Early in October Rosselkhoznadzor reported about detection of pests in Azerbaijani vegetables. According to the ministry, at that time quarantine objects were detected 76 times in fruit and vegetable products since early 2020. Besides tomatoes, pests were also found in plums, peaches, potatoes, apples, cherries, nectarines and pomegranates.