Russia blocks import of Armenian flowers disguised as Iranian
Russia’s Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor) has asked the Iranian Plant Protection Organization to temporarily suspend the certification of flowers for export to Russia due to suspicions that Armenian products may be being shipped under the guise of Iranian products.
The Russian agency noted that in 2026, flower imports from Iran significantly exceeded the figures for the same period last year. At the same time, Rosselkhoznadzor stated that, based on their external characteristics and packaging features, these products are identical to flowers previously imported from Armenia.
The agency reminded that, as of May 22, 2026, Russia has banned the import of cut flowers originating from or shipped from Armenia.
Since no response was received from the Iranian side to the previous request, Rosselkhoznadzor requested that the Plant Protection Organization of Iran’s Ministry of Agricultural Jihad suspend the certification of local flower products for export to the Russian Federation until bilateral negotiations are held and the circumstances are clarified.
Rosselkhoznadzor stated that these measures are necessary to comply with the restrictions in place and to ensure the phytosanitary safety of Russia and the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union.
