Russia Restricts Armenian Fruit and Fish Exports Days Before Armenia’s Election

Russia has expanded restrictions on Armenian exports by announcing temporary limits on the import and transit of several Armenian fruits while also moving forward with restrictions on most Armenian fish exports. The measures, which affect key agricultural products including cherries, apricots, peaches, nectarines, prunes, grapes and fish products, come less than a week before Armenia's parliamentary elections and amid broader tensions between Moscow and Yerevan over Armenia's foreign policy direction.

Russia's Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance, known as Rosselkhoznadzor, said the restrictions will take effect June 2 and apply to stone fruits and fresh grapes shipped from Armenia. The measures cover cherries, apricots, prunes, peaches, nectarines and grapes.

According to the Russian agency, the restrictions were introduced after what it described as violations discovered during inspections and quality-control procedures.

The move comes as Russia also advances restrictions on Armenian fish exports. Rosselkhoznadzor recently suspended veterinary certification for most Armenian fish and fish products destined for the Russian market and ordered Armenia to halt export certification for fish products from nearly all Armenian companies except two that passed inspections conducted jointly by Armenian and Russian specialists.

Russian authorities said inspections at Armenian fish farms and processing facilities produced unsatisfactory results and claimed that nearly half of the enterprises selected for inspection refused access.

The latest measures come days before Armenia's parliamentary elections scheduled for June 7. In recent weeks, Russia has restricted the entry of several Armenian products into its market, repeatedly citing quality and compliance concerns.

The developments are unfolding amid broader political tensions between Moscow and Yerevan over Armenia's foreign policy direction and growing discussions about closer relations with the European Union.

Russian President Vladimir Putin recently said Armenia should hold a referendum on its geopolitical direction and possible European integration. He also warned of potential economic consequences if Armenia moves away from the Eurasian Economic Union.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Sunday reiterated that Armenia plans to remain a member of the Eurasian Economic Union, which includes Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia.

"We will continue to work calmly, peacefully, without nerves and without disputes in the Eurasian Economic Union. I am convinced that we still have potential in this direction, which we will use in the near future," Pashinyan said.

The Eurasian Economic Union remains one of Armenia's most important trade frameworks, with Russia serving as the country's largest export market for agricultural products, food goods and industrial exports.

The latest restrictions could place additional pressure on Armenian exporters during the peak fruit export season, particularly producers that rely heavily on access to the Russian market.

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