Russia Bans 140 Tons of Fresh Tomatoes from Morocco and Turkey Due to Plant Diseases and Pests
Kaliningrad, Russia – The Russian Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor) announced on Monday that it had blocked the entry of 140 tons of fresh tomatoes imported from Morocco and Turkey after detecting quarantine-level plant diseases and insect infestations in several shipments.
According to an official statement reviewed by Al3omk, inspections conducted in early April at temporary storage facilities in the port of Kaliningrad revealed signs of infection in 56 tons of tomatoes. Laboratory tests identified the presence of Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) and Pepino mosaic virus (PepMV), both of which are highly contagious plant pathogens.
Additionally, the inspections detected the South American tomato leafminer (Tuta absoluta), a destructive agricultural pest, in five Turkish shipments totaling 84 tons. Authorities confirmed 11 separate infestations.
The test results, verified by the specialized VNIIF plant disease research institute, confirmed that the pests and pathogens were alive and capable of spreading. As a result, Rosselkhoznadzor ordered the complete rejection of all affected shipments, preventing their entry into Russian territory.
The decision aligns with Russia’s strict phytosanitary policies on imported agricultural products, aimed at safeguarding domestic biosecurity. The country has consistently enforced rigorous measures against pests and diseases that could threaten local crops.
While the statement did not specify the exact volume of Moroccan tomatoes affected, the ban applies to shipments from both countries.
Quarantine-Level Threats
Plant diseases and pests classified as “quarantine risks” are considered high-priority threats by agricultural authorities. Any shipments found to contain such contaminants are automatically denied entry under Russian law to prevent potential ecological and economic damage.
