Rosselkhoznadzor blocks large batch of tomato import from Uzbekistan due to quarantine virus

The Russian agricultural watchdog, Rosselkhoznadzor, has barred the import of a shipment of fresh Uzbek tomatoes weighing 18.5 tons into the Nizhny Novgorod region. This was reported by the agency's press service.

During an inspection at the temporary storage warehouse (TSW) of Technoprom LLC, the tomatoes were found to be contaminated with a quarantine pest—the Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV).

Laboratory tests conducted by specialists from the Nizhny Novgorod branch of the Federal Center for Animal Health (FGBU “VNIIZh”) confirmed the presence of the virus.

The owner of the shipment has been instructed to either disinfect or destroy the contaminated produce. If these measures are not feasible, an order will be issued for the return of the quarantined products, with all associated costs to be borne by the owner.

Rosselkhoznadzor emphasized that the Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus poses a significant threat to greenhouse vegetable crops. Highly transmissible and difficult to contain, the virus can infect plantations through various pathways and spreads rapidly. It has already been detected in numerous countries across Europe, Asia, and the Americas, causing severe damage to tomato production worldwide.