Russia halts all fish imports from Armenia

Russia has expanded restrictions on fish product shipments from Armenia, temporarily suspending certification for two more Armenian companies until they remedy previously identified violations.

As a result, shipments of all fish products from Armenia to the Russian market have been fully suspended, Rosselkhoznadzor told TASS.

The agency recalled that earlier, following a pattern of systematic violations, Rosselkhoznadzor had asked the Armenian side to temporarily suspend certification of all fish products, with the exception of two companies that had directly participated in the inspection: MF Export LLC and Invest Plus LLC. These were placed under an enhanced laboratory monitoring regime.

“Subsequently, during the analysis of materials, a preliminary report was prepared, and pending the remediation of the identified violations and the submission of the necessary supporting documentation, a decision was made to temporarily suspend certification of the said companies’ products,” Rosselkhoznadzor stated.

The agency stressed that it continues to work with the Armenian side to ensure the safety of fish and fish products intended for the Russian market. The restrictions have affected a significant export sector of the Armenian economy. According to the Central Bank of Armenia, revenues from fish and fish product exports to Russia account for up to 2% of the republic’s GDP.