Russia to ban imports of seeds, planting material grown in Netherlands from June 30

MOSCOW. June 26 (Interfax) - The Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor) will prohibit imports of seeds and planting material grown in the Netherlands into Russia starting June 30, 2025.

This measure aims to preserve phytosanitary security and prevent the spread of quarantine pests in Russia, Rosselkhoznadzor said.

Since November 23, 2023, there has been a ban on direct supplies to Russia of seeds and planting material from the Netherlands, the agency said. The products arrive accompanied by phytosanitary certificates from other countries. "In June this year, three cases of contamination with quarantine pests for EAEU [Eurasian Economic Union] member states were detected in planting material and greenhouse plants of Dutch origin imported to Russia with phytosanitary certificates from Hungary, Belarus and Lithuania. Dodder (Cuscuta L.) and western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande) were identified," it said.

"Systematic detections of quarantine pests in Dutch plant products confirm the lack of measures taken by the competent authority of the Netherlands to ensure phytosanitary safety during export," Rosselkhoznadzor said.

According to data from the Argus-Phyto federal state information system, as of June 22, 2025, Russia has imported 9.6 million units of planting material and 530.5 tonnes of seed material of Dutch origin, while for the entire year 2024 the figures were 41.6 million units and 671.9 tonnes, respectively.