Russia has tightened controls on fruit and vegetable products imported from Armenia. According to Sergey Dankvert, head of Rosselkhoznadzor, Armenian products entering the country are now being inspected based on phytosanitary safety requirements.

At the same time, the Russian side has temporarily suspended the import of flower products from Armenia to ‘ensure phytosanitary safety.’ This decision could significantly impact trade relations between the two countries, as the Russian market is a key destination for Armenian fruit, vegetable, and flower exports.

Dankvert emphasized that Russia demands full compliance with product safety guarantees. A future decision regarding flower imports will be made following the visit of Russian inspectors to Armenia. Whether the restrictions will be long-term or eased depends on the results of these inspections.

According to data, between May and November 2025, Armenia exported over 40 million euros worth of fruit and over 50 million euros worth of vegetables to Russia. These figures indicate a significant volume of agricultural trade between the two nations, making the tightened controls a serious economic risk for Armenian exporters.

Furthermore, Russia’s Rospotrebnadzor agency has banned the import and sale of ‘Jermuk’ mineral water produced in Armenia. The agency stated that the levels of hydrocarbonate, chloride, and sulfate in the water were found to exceed established standards.

This is not the first time such a restriction has been applied to ‘Jermuk’ water. In April, imports of certain batches were banned for the same reason. Now, the restriction has returned to the agenda, placing additional pressure on Armenian producers.

Media outlets note that in recent years, Russia has frequently used import restrictions on food, beverages, and other products against countries with which its political relations have cooled. In this case, there is speculation that political tensions between Moscow and Yerevan are casting a shadow over economic decisions.

Currently, disagreements between Russia and Armenia have intensified following Yerevan’s policy of rapprochement with the West. As the Armenian government seeks new directions in foreign policy, relations with Moscow have entered a complex phase.

In short, Russia is increasing controls and restrictions on Armenian fruits, vegetables, flowers, and ‘Jermuk’ water. The official explanation is phytosanitary and sanitary safety. However, given the political backdrop, these decisions seem to carry more weight than mere technical inspections. Trade routes sometimes cool faster than diplomacy, and this situation proves it once again.