From 14 March, Russia will be prohibiting the importation of plant products from Moldova through Belarus, as reported by the Rosselkhoznadzor. The decision has been adopted after inspections revealed that Moldovan companies were allegedly supplying Russia with "unregulated products."
The Rosselkhoznadzor recalled that, following the decision to allow the supply of plant products last year, there was a "sharp increase in the traffic" of products from Moldova to Russia "with complex logistical routes" through Belarus; the Office suspects that these may actually be re-exports from countries that are currently affected by the embargo.
Now Moldovan fruits and vegetables can only be imported through the border points located in Belgorod, Kursk and Bryansk, i.e., on the border with Ukraine.
It is worth recalling that, on 21 July 2014, the Rosselkhoznadzor banned Moldovan fruit exports to Russia. Officially, the decision was taken because of irregularities in the products' condition and the presence of the Eastern moth, although it happened after Moldova signed the EU Association Agreement for the establishment of a free trade zone.
After seven months, however, the agency allowed the import of Moldovan apples from a few selected companies.
Source: economics.unian.ua