Tomatoes and apples from sunny Azerbaijan are in high demand among Russian buyers. However, from December 10, 2020, they will disappear from the shelves of the country. The embargo is temporary.
The reasons
Rosselkhoznadzor explained the ban by concern for the health of Russians. Tomatoes and apples from Azerbaijan do not comply with sanitary regulations. Russian experts have identified the so-called "quarantine objects" in them: the eastern moth and the South American tomato moth.
The Azerbaijani side was informed several times, but no action was taken from it. The embargo went into effect on December 10, 2020. The ban will remain in effect until Azerbaijan takes effective measures to ensure the phytosanitary well-being of its products.
Why is tomato moth dangerous?
This pest is also known as the miner moth. It was given to him for the ability of larvae to gnaw tunnels in nightshade crops and feed on the soft part of plant tissue, leaving numerous spots ("mines"). In some cases, the tomato moth can completely destroy the crop. All over the world, it is considered one of the most dangerous quarantine insects.
In the countries of Eastern Europe, the pest appeared relatively recently, only 10 years ago. Before that, its habitat was exclusively the states of South America.
Why is the eastern moth dangerous
This harmful butterfly wields various fruit trees, not only apple trees. She gives preference to peach, for which she received the second name "peach moth". When massively multiplied, this pest can also destroy the entire crop.
What else fell under the ban
Following Azerbaijani products, vegetables from Armenia also fell out of favor with the Rosselkhoznadzor. Russian experts have imposed an embargo on peppers and tomatoes grown in the Armavir region. By the way, this area does not border on Azerbaijan. Pepino mosaic virus was found in Armenian vegetables. It poses a threat to all Solanaceae. The ban on the supply of Armenian vegetables will come into effect on December 14, 2020.
It is worth noting that at the end of November 2020, the Rosselkhoznadzor imposed an embargo on peppers and tomatoes grown in the Fergana region of Uzbekistan. They were diagnosed with the brown wrinkle virus (tobamovirus), discovered in 2015. It does not pose a danger to humans, but it is a significant threat to plants.
What are the threats of bans for Russians?
In 2020, Azerbaijan ranks first in the supply of tomatoes to Russia and the fifth in the import of apples (ahead of Moldova and Poland). In this regard, buyers are concerned about the upcoming increase in vegetable prices. The Ministry of Agriculture hastened to calm them down, saying that a shortage of tomatoes on the Russian market is not expected. Accordingly, most likely, there will not be a significant rise in prices.
