Russia restricts Armenian dairy imports from July 27

PanARMENIAN.Net - Rosselkhoznadzor announced that it will restrict imports of dairy products from Armenia beginning July 27.

The agency said its specialists inspected Armenian dairy processing plants from July 14 to 21. The facilities had previously been approved under guarantees provided by Armenia’s veterinary service and supply their products to Russia.

According to the watchdog, inspectors found violations similar to those recorded during checks conducted in 2023 and 2024. The shortcomings concerned traceability systems, preparation of veterinary accompanying documents for raw materials and finished products, veterinary and sanitary inspections of incoming raw materials, operation of risk management systems and implementation of production control programs.

“The latest inspection revealed the use of milk from infected livestock in the manufacture of products supplied to Russia,” the agency said in a statement.

Rosselkhoznadzor also said cases had been confirmed in which raw materials originating from third countries were used to manufacture high-fat products for the Russian market. The agency said this was done “despite earlier assurances from Armenia’s veterinary service that local raw materials or supplies originating from enterprises in the Eurasian Economic Union would be used.”

The watchdog said Armenia has yet to establish a system capable of confirming the origin and safety of milk or other dairy raw materials used in production. It said the issue is particularly relevant to milk obtained from individuals unable to guarantee the safety of the products they supply.

Rosselkhoznadzor said it had taken measures to prevent particularly dangerous infections from entering Russia and cited concerns over the safety of selling such dairy products on the domestic market.

“This once again confirms that Armenia is unable to exercise control over agricultural producers, partly as a consequence of the government reform carried out in 2019,” the statement said.

Russia has previously introduced restrictions on imports of Armenian goods. The measures have included bans on shipments of Jermuk mineral water, flowers and certain alcoholic beverages. Several agricultural products, including tomatoes, cucumbers and strawberries, have also faced restrictions. Since June 2, Russia has restricted imports from Armenia of cherries, apricots, peaches, plums, grapes and other stone fruits, as well as their transit to other Eurasian Economic Union countries. From June 3, restrictions were extended to imports of eggplants, potatoes and dried fruits originating in and exported from Armenia.