14:23, 17 July 2026

Rosselkhoznadzor found flowers from Armenia in Iranian supplies.

Flowers. Illustration created by "Caucasian Knot" using AI in the Copilot program.

Under the guise of Iranian flowers, cut flowers from Armenia were imported into Russia, said the Rosselkhoznadzor, asking the Iranian Plant Protection Organization to suspend the certification of flowers for export to Russia.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", Rosselkhoznadzor imposed temporary restrictions on the import of flowers from Armenia starting May 22, 2026, and from May 30, fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, greens, and strawberries. In addition, the import of all batches of Armenian mineral water "Jermuk" and several brandies and wines was halted, while the import of fish from Armenia was significantly restricted. From June 2, Rosselkhoznadzor extended the ban on fresh grapes and stone fruits, including cherries and sweet cherries, and from June 3 - on potatoes, eggplants, as well as pome fruits and dried fruits.

Flowers from Armenia can be sold in the markets of the EU, Central Asian countries, Arab states, and neighboring countries, said Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. On the domestic market, flowers are difficult to sell even at the lowest prices, and there is no information about supplies to Europe, farmers countered.

Rosselkhoznadzor appealed to the Iranian Plant Protection Organization with a request to suspend the certification of flowers for export to Russia.

In 2026, the volume of supplies from the Islamic Republic significantly exceeded the figures for the same period last year. The phytosanitary certificates indicate Iran as the place of origin of the products. At the same time, in terms of external characteristics and packaging features, the products are identical to those previously imported from Armenia, reported Rosselkhoznadzor.

Rosselkhoznadzor had previously informed Iran about the existing temporary restrictions on Armenian flower products. Since May 22, 2026, the import of cut flowers into Russia, with Armenia as the place of dispatch and origin, has been prohibited.

Due to the lack of response from the Iranian side, in order to maintain the phytosanitary well-being of the territories of Russia and the EAEU member states and to comply with the prohibitions and restrictions imposed by Rosselkhoznadzor, the Service appealed to the Plant Protection Organization of the Ministry of Agricultural Jihad of the Islamic Republic of Iran with a request to suspend the certification of local flower products until bilateral negotiations are held and the issue is clarified, the agency's website states.

Translated automatically via OpenAI from https://www.kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/425004