Russia suspends export licenses for over two dozen of Armenian flower suppliers

More than half of Armenian flower suppliers have been denied export licenses to Russia in the past six weeks, according to the Food Safety Inspection Body of Armenia. 

This follows joint inspections by Armenian authorities and Russia’s Rosselkhoznadzor, the federal agency responsible for veterinary and phytosanitary surveillance, Caliber.Az reports via Armenian media. 

According to the information, 26 out of 47 Armenian flower supplier companies have not received their licenses. 

Rosselkhoznadzor has raised concerns over increasing violations related to the export of Armenian plant products, particularly flowers. This year alone, several shipments of flowers sent to Russia were found to be infested with Western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande), a quarantine pest harmful to agriculture.

In addition to flowers, quarantine pests have been detected in other types of Armenian plant exports. As a result, Russian authorities have formally requested Armenian counterparts to tighten inspections and quality control measures.

If Armenia fails to improve oversight, Rosselkhoznadzor has warned it may impose temporary restrictions on the import of flower products from the country, potentially impacting trade relations between the two neighbours. 

By Sabina Mammadli