Russia to lift ban on wheat supplies from Kazakhstan on Oct 20 - Rosselkhoznadzor
MOSCOW. Oct 17 (Interfax) - Russia will lift the ban on wheat imports from Kazakhstan on October 20, Russia's Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor) announced following talks between the watchdog's head, Sergei Dankvert, and Kazakhstan's Deputy Agriculture Minister, Yermek Kenzhekhanuly.
Russia imposed the ban on imports from several regions that are major wheat producers in Kazakhstan. Russia will permit imports under guarantees from Kazakhstan's national plant protection agency.
The matter of a significant portion of plant products imported from Kazakhstan not being presented to Rosselkhoznadzor inspectors for inspection at their destinations was also raised during the talks. This is a violation of Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) plant quarantine legislation. Russia has imported 419,200 tonnes of fruit and vegetable products from Kazakhstan since the beginning of the year, with the latter having presented only 29% for inspection.
As on October 14, the largest volume of shipments consisted of onions (136,900 tonnes), watermelons (72,300 tonnes), melons (57,200 tonnes), and cabbage (24,900 tonnes). Of these volumes, only 18% of onions were submitted for inspection, 30% of watermelons, 35% of melons, and 42% of cabbage.
Rosselkhoznadzor also reported that shipments of fresh pears grown in European Union countries and transiting Russia have quadrupled this year according to the Argus-Fito Federal State Information System, namely 21,900 tonnes, compared to 5,200 tonnes the previous year.
"Despite the use of electronic navigation seals during transit, sanctioned goods are being re-exported from Kazakhstan to Russia using gray schemes, which has been repeatedly stopped by regional offices of Rosselkhoznadzor," according to the statement.
In 2024, 203.8 tonnes of sanctioned products were detected arriving from Kazakhstan, including 180 tonnes of pears from Belgium.
Rosselkhoznadzor head Dankvert emphasized the unacceptability of the current situation.
"The parties have agreed to take appropriate measures promptly to ensure the country's phytosanitary security," Russia's plant and animal health watchdog said.
