Kazakhstan responds to Russia’s ban on cut flower imports amid phytosanitary concerns

KAZAKHSTAN – Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Agriculture has responded to Russia’s recent decision to impose temporary restrictions on the import of cut flowers, citing concerns over the quality of phytosanitary certificates issued for flowers re-exported from third countries.

The Russian phytosanitary agency, Rosselkhoznadzor, announced on October 21, 2024, that it would halt flower imports from Kazakhstan, primarily due to the detection of the Western flower thrips, a harmful pest, in shipments from Kazakhstan.

Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Agriculture firmly rejected these accusations, asserting that the country’s phytosanitary certification system operates in compliance with state regulations and that no “shadow orders” are being used to facilitate the uncontrolled movement of plant products across the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).

The Ministry explained that while it acknowledges the issue of dishonest companies using “shell” firms to obtain certificates, this is a problem not limited to Russia.

Kazakh authorities noted that such fraudulent activities also affect domestic markets, with companies misrepresenting imports from EAEU member states.

The Ministry further emphasized that solving this issue at the national level appears impractical and called for a collective resolution within the framework of the EAEU, of which both Russia and Kazakhstan are members.

The restrictions from Rosselkhoznadzor are part of Russia’s broader efforts to protect its phytosanitary environment from the Western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis), a notorious pest that can damage various crops.

The thrips has been detected in several shipments of flowers from Kazakhstan, raising alarms about the potential spread of the pest across the EAEU.

According to Russian authorities, 43 cases of contamination were reported in 2023 and 2024 alone. The economic impact of such infestations is estimated to exceed 11.5 billion rubles (approximately US$120 million), primarily due to damage to crops and loss of export volumes.

Kazakhstan’s role as a re-exporter of flowers, particularly those sourced from the Netherlands, Poland, and Belgium, has come under scrutiny as part of Russia’s decision.

The flowers typically enter Kazakhstan through the EAEU’s single customs space, and Kazakh authorities are required to ensure their safety before they are shipped to Russia.

However, Russian officials claim that some countries of origin fail to adequately monitor product safety, complicating Kazakhstan’s efforts to comply with phytosanitary standards.

This trade dispute coincides with broader geopolitical tensions between the two nations. While Kazakhstan has expressed interest in the BRICS summit and has refrained from fully aligning with Russia in the context of the ongoing war in Ukraine, the latest import ban underscores the growing strain in bilateral relations.

Experts suggest that this move by Russia may be part of a broader strategy to exert pressure on Kazakhstan amid its cautious stance toward joining the BRICS bloc, despite Russia’s invitations.

The pressure is also seen in other areas of trade, such as previous disputes over Kazakh oil exports. Analysts point out that Kazakhstan’s position on international sanctions and its neutrality regarding the war in Ukraine are increasingly shaping its foreign policy choices.