The full force of Russia's import ban on sanctioning countries and Turkey could be felt in the first half of March, with 300 metric tons (MT) of produce intercepted after passing through Belarus. 

This week, Russia's Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor) said produce including apples, tomatoes, pears and cabbage had been intercepted in 24 instances at its office for the Tver and Pskov regions.

The food health watchdog cited cases of cargo with an absence of phytosatniary certificates, invalid certificates, a lack of labeling, and non-compliant information and shipping documents.

The authority also found "numerous traces" of worn out labels for products of Polish and Turkish origin.

Rosselkhoznadzor said at least 80MT of the produce had been destroyed for landfill.

Photo: Rosselkhoznadzor

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