Reports circulated on social media and in several Russian media outlets, including RBK, RTVI, and Interfax, claiming that Russia had introduced restrictive measures on imports of fruit and vegetable products from Uzbekistan starting May 30.
According to the reported press release, the alleged restrictions were introduced to ensure the phytosanitary safety of Russian territory and in response to an increase in cases of non-compliance involving quarantine-regulated products supplied from Uzbekistan.
The reports stated that the measures would apply to ten Uzbek exporters:
- EXPORIA TRADE LLC
- GLOW FRUIT LLC
- SARDOBAAGROEKSPORT LLC
- BUXORO MEVA SABZOVOTCHILIK EXPORTI LLC
- GANI BOBO BOGI LLC
- BMB GLOBAL SAVDO LLC
- NEW AGROQUVA LLC
- AMIR GRENS LLC
- ZAMORA LLC
- MIRFAYZ-PARFYUM INVEST LLC
The reports referenced a publication on the website of Russia’s Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor). However, the webpage later became unavailable and returned a 404 error. The URL of the removed publication indicated that it concerned restrictions on fruit and vegetable imports from ten Uzbek exporters beginning on May 30.
Interfax subsequently reported that the publication had been corrected at the request of Rosselkhoznadzor.
On May 29, Rosselkhoznadzor issued a new statement rejecting reports that restrictions had been imposed on Uzbek fruit and vegetable imports.
According to the agency, it had contacted the competent authorities of Uzbekistan to hold technical consultations aimed at developing a mechanism that would ensure the safe and uninterrupted supply of Uzbek fruit and vegetable products to the Russian market.
The statement said: "On May 29, 2026, Rosselkhoznadzor contacted the competent authority of Uzbekistan to conduct technical negotiations to develop a mechanism to ensure the safe and uninterrupted supply of Uzbek fruit and vegetable products to Russia."
The clarification from Rosselkhoznadzor came at the same time as the agency introduced temporary restrictions on certain fruit and vegetable imports from Armenia.
The Armenian restrictions, effective from May 30, apply to products including fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, herbs, and strawberries. Russian authorities stated that the decision was made due to increasing violations identified in shipments of Armenian fruit and vegetable products and to ensure phytosanitary safety.
As of the latest statement published by Rosselkhoznadzor, no restrictions on fruit and vegetable imports from Uzbekistan had been announced. Discussions between Russian and Uzbek authorities remain focused on technical consultations related to phytosanitary controls and maintaining uninterrupted trade flows.
