Russia's Federal Agency for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Supervision (Rosselkhoznadzor) has announced a ban on the produce imports from Albania. 

Fresh produce will face import restrictions in Russia from Monday (December 8) in connection with the detection of counterfeit phytosanitary certificates and suspicions that the country was involved in bypassing the EU ban.

Russian officials had asked Albanian authorities to justify a recent four-fold increase in imports of apricots, peaches and cherries with documentation to back up the country of origin.

Rosselkhoznadzor said it first raised 'serious concerns' about the high probability of re-exported products from third countries through the territory of Albania as well as signs of tampering with documentation a few weeks ago, according to a notice on its website.

It said proof had been requested three times but it had not received appropriate records and would consequently launch the ban next week.

"In connection with the detection of counterfeit Albanian phytosanitary certificates in the supply of plant food products to Russia, and the absence of the Albanian side of the requested materials and the failure to take measures to prevent such deliveries," a notice on Rosselkhoznadzor's website said.

"Rosselkhoznadzor has decided to impose temporary restrictions on 8 December on the import of Russian regulated products of high phytosanitary risk from Albania, as well as the Albanian plant products from the territory of third countries."

Click here for more on the Russian import ban.

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