Russia restricts imports of tomatoes, pepper, wheat from Kazakhstan

MOSCOW. Oct 18 (Interfax) - Russian plant and animal health watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor imposed temporary restrictions on imports of tomatoes, peppers, melons, wheat, lentils and flax seeds from Kazakhstan as of October 17.

Temporary restrictions were also imposed on imports of sunflower seeds for planting from third countries, Rosselkhoznadzor said in a press release.

The restrictions were imposed to ensure Russia's phytosanitary security and because Kazakh agencies have failed to take measures, the watchdog said. Rosselkhoznadzor earlier asked the Kazakh Agriculture Ministry's Inspection Committee to stop issuing phytosanitary certificates for grain and grain products, tomatoes, peppers and sunflower seeds exported to Russia.

"Since the beginning of 2024, the agency has found 215 cases of products subject to quarantine in Eurasian Economic Union member countries coming into Russia from Kazakhstan that contained quarantinable objects, which is four times more than the same period of 2023," Rosselkhoznadzor said.

Transit of wheat, lentils and flax seeds will still be allowed on the condition that the Kazakh authorities issue phytosanitary certificates directly for the country of final destination.