Russia’s Rosselkhoznadzor agricultural watchdog notified Armenia’s Food Safety Inspection Body (FSIB) about the ban in a letter publicized by Armenian media on Wednesday. It alleged eight more instances of imported Armenian tomatoes and apples exceeding the maximum residue levels of pesticides allowed in Russia and other Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) member states.
The FSIB clarified that the “temporary restriction” applies to 16 Armenian companies exporting such agricultural products to Russia.
“In connection with the created situation, negotiations have started with the participation of specialists from both [Armenian and Russian] agencies,” it said, adding that they will hold a video conference to try to “quickly settle the problem.”
In a statement, the government agency also pledged to take “periodic laboratory control measures” that will involve “new instruments” meant to address the Russian concerns.
Russia accounts for more than 90 percent of Armenia’s fruit and vegetable exports vital for not only the owners of commercial greenhouses but also tens of thousands of subsistence farmers. The combined share of the 16 blacklisted Armenian firms in those exports, worth about $70 million in January-May 2024, is not yet known.
The Russian ban was widely construed by local commentators as a retaliation against the Armenian government’s continuing drift to the West and other actions denounced by Moscow. The Armenian government and its loyalists have not commented on these suggestions so far.
Tadevos Avetisian, an opposition parliamentarian, said that Rosselkhoznadzor’s decision could only be in part politically motivated. Avetisian said the FSBIC is also responsible for it because of its poor enforcement food safety standards.
“We must first and foremost blame representatives of our state who are mishandling things and once again leaving people in trouble,” he told RFE/RL’s Armenian.
The FSIB defended its track record, saying that Armenian and EEU regulations require it to conduct laboratory food testing only in cases of foodborne outbreaks or formal complaints lodged by individuals or other entities.