Kazakhstan rejects Russian claims over flower import certification

KAZAKHSTAN – Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Agriculture has responded to Russia’s recent allegations that it enabled the re-export of cut flowers with unreliable phytosanitary certificates.

Russia had claimed these certificates, essential for plant safety, often lacked credibility. Kazakhstan’s officials, however, assert that Russia’s accusations are unfounded, emphasizing that the country’s safety measures adhere to strict state regulations.

The Committee of State Inspection of the Agro-industrial Complex, a division of Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Agriculture, issued a statement countering Russia’s claims.

“The Committee did not engage in any ‘shadow’ operation to facilitate unrestricted movement of plant products across the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) territory,” the committee stated in response to Russia’s agricultural watchdog, Rosselkhoznadzor.

Officials explained that issuing phytosanitary certificates was a state-governed process in Kazakhstan, managed in compliance with national protocols.

Kazakhstan acknowledged a persistent issue with fraudulent companies circumventing import regulations. “The issue of shell companies was a concern for Kazakhstan as much as it was for Russia,” a spokesperson from the Ministry of Agriculture remarked.

These “shell” companies reportedly used import documentation on behalf of unsuspecting recipients, complicating product oversight.

Rosselkhoznadzor had announced that, beginning October 21, 2024, it would implement temporary restrictions on importing cut flowers from Kazakhstan.

Russian authorities justified the restriction as a response to rising instances of imported flowers found infested with pests, particularly the western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande).

Over recent years, authorities reported detecting this pest in 43 flower shipments, a threat to Russia’s agricultural ecosystem with a potential economic impact exceeding 11.5 billion rubles.

“Preventive measures like this were essential to protect our plant life and agricultural environment,” a Rosselkhoznadzor representative said. Russia’s regulatory focus had increased amid growing concerns over agricultural imports from “unfriendly” nations and efforts to bolster domestic production.

Russia’s flower import market faced significant disruption beginning in 2021, primarily due to currency fluctuations and sanctions limiting importers’ ability to make international payments.

By 2023, these challenges intensified as Russia imposed a 20% tariff on flower imports from several foreign countries, placing further financial strain on Russian importers and limiting available supply.

In response, authorities and local growers began promoting domestic flower production to reduce reliance on foreign imports.

Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Agriculture called for a cooperative solution to these import challenges, emphasizing that adjusting national legislation alone might not resolve cross-border issues.

“These issues required coordinated action within the EAEU framework,” the Ministry of Agriculture stated, noting that solutions should come from joint discussions at the Eurasian Economic Commission level.