Russian watchdog requests suspension of Kazakh grain and vegetable export certification

ASTANA. Oct 2 (Interfax) - The Russian Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor) has asked Kazakhstan's Agriculture Ministry to suspend issuance of phytosanitary certificates for grain, processed grain products, tomatoes, peppers and sunflower seeds exported to Russia.

This request comes due to "an increase in the detection of quarantine pests in products imported from Kazakhstan," posing a risk to the phytosanitary safety of Russia, as well as to the development of greenhouse farming, domestic breeding, and seed production.

The suspension of certification was required starting September 23. "Rosselkhoznadzor's information systems will automatically block the issuance of phytosanitary documents for the specified products coming from Kazakhstan," according to the regulator's press service.

Kazakhstan has banned wheat imports by all types of transport from third countries and EAEU countries until December 31, 2024, to protect the domestic market and prevent re-export, except for transit through the country. The Agriculture Ministry has said wheat imports in the first half of 2024 reached 1.3 million tonnes, nearly matching the total imports for 2023, despite sufficient domestic reserves from the previous harvest.