Kazakhstan Has Imposed a Ban on Tomatoes Imported from Azerbaijan

On January 16, the Committee of State Inspectorate in the Agro-Industrial Complex under the Ministry of Agriculture imposed a temporary ban on importing Azerbaijani tomatoes, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Agriculture press service reported.

The restrictive measures against the import of Azerbaijani tomatoes were initiated by Kazakhstani authorities due to 17 cases of tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV). According to international standards (ISPM), the Azerbaijani counterparts were immediately informed about the case.

Because the Tomato brown rugose fruit virus may lead to a sharp decline in tomato yields by 30-70%, Kazakhstan agricultural officials have decided to impose the ban from January 16 until the situation is improved.

In December 2020, the Russian Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance informed Kazakhstan about the Tomato brown rugose fruit virus in Azerbaijani products as well as its decision to ban the supply of tomatoes by Greenhouse-Qaztomat company. To respond to the issue, the Committee of State Inspectorate for Agriculture implemented an urgent investigation and then moved further by imposing the ban.