The Russian federal service, Rosselkhoznadzor, will conduct an audit of Ecuador's banana certification system in April. This decision follows negotiations between Rosselkhoznadzor representatives and Ecuador's Agency for Agricultural Product Quality Control (Agrocalidad), part of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock.
"The audit aims to ensure compliance with international and Russian phytosanitary standards while improving the quality of exported products," the Russian agency stated.
During the talks, Deputy Head of Rosselkhoznadzor Yulia Shvabauskene emphasized Ecuador's significant role in supplying regulated agricultural products to Russia, accounting for 16% of total imports in this category. Bananas make up the largest share, with 1.3 million tons imported in 2024. Additionally, Ecuador's direct export of flowers to Russia tripled over the past year, reaching 50 million stems, while cocoa bean imports surged 40-fold to 4,700 tons.
The two sides also exchanged ratified versions of a bilateral agreement on plant quarantine and protection between the governments of Russia and Ecuador.
Source: www.interfax.ru