Russia's Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor) has expanded restrictions on fish product supplies from Armenia. The agency temporarily suspended certification of two Armenian companies in addition to enterprises whose certification had previously been suspended. With this decision, all fish product shipments from Armenia to Russia have been stopped.
Rosselkhoznadzor stated that systematic violations were detected at the said enterprises and that certification would remain suspended until the violations are rectified. Russia had previously imposed restrictions on imports of alcoholic beverages, vegetables, fruits and mineral water from Armenia. Additionally, a request had been made to suspend certification of live fish and fish products.
Experts assess that this step could lead to new tensions in trade relations between the two countries. No official statement has been made yet by Armenia on the matter.