Russia has followed through with its threat to ban Egyptian produce imports, with shipments of citrus, tomatoes and potatoes reportedly blocked as of yesterday (Sept. 22). 

Russia's Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor) said the decision was due to Egyptian exporters' non-compliance to Moscow's phytosanitary rules, but there is strong speculation the move is linked to Egypt's failure to approve Russian wheat shipments.

The North African country recently tightened its regulations on ergot, a common grain fungus. As the measures were applied retroactively to outstanding contracts, 540,000 metric tons (MT) of Russian wheat imports were reportedly suspended.

Since Russia announced the produce import ban, Egypt has reportedly reversed its new wheat import regulations, reinstating a 0.05% tolerance level for ergot.

Rosselkhoznadzor deputy head Julia Shvabauskene reportedly said the introduction of the ban was the result of an ineffective phytosanitary system in Egypt, which resulted in 47 detections of diseases in produce shipments this year.

"The ban will be in effect until the Russian-Egyptian meeting at the state level, which is expected to take place by the end of the current year," she was quoted as saying by website Just-food.com.

Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich reportedly said the ban was not in retaliation for Egypt blocking wheat imports, and said the measures would be in place until Egypt puts more efficient phytosanitary measures in place.

Double trouble

The problems for Egypt's produce export industry don't end with Russia, however, as this week Sudan also announced a ban on fruits, vegetables and fish imports from its northern neighbor.

The Sudanese trade ministry said the move was decision was taken on the grounds of safety but did not elaborate further, according to agency Reuters.

"Importing fruit, vegetable, and fish from Egypt is temporarily suspended until laboratory tests are complete to guarantee safety," a trade ministry statement reportedly said on Tuesday.

Egypt does not import wheat from Sudan, according to Reuters.

The decision has reportedly confused Sudanese fruit and vegetable traders, who said it would harm them.

"Egypt is the biggest source of fruit and vegetables in Sudan and we have been importing from there for many years and there were never any problems," Ahmed Abu Sheiba, a representative Sudan's fruit and vegetable importers union, was quoted as saying.

"The market depends on Egyptian fruit due to geographical proximity and ease of transport. The decision came suddenly and will cause a lot of damage for importers. We call on the government to cancel this ban."

Photo: www.shutterstock.com

www.freshfruitportal.com