Russian authorities have destroyed a shipment of 39,200 freshly cut roses from Armenia after the flowers were allegedly transported through Belarus disguised as non-alcoholic beverages.
Russia’s Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor) said the roses were seized in the Smolensk region because they violated Russia’s regulations governing the import of quarantine-controlled products. The agency said the shipment was transported by a Belarusian citizen and that the remaining labels on the flowers indicated they originated in Armenia.
Rosselkhoznadzor claims the flowers were imported under the guise of non-alcoholic tonic drinks. The entire shipment was confiscated and destroyed.
The seizure follows a series of Russian restrictions on Armenian agricultural exports introduced since late May. Moscow has temporarily suspended imports of a wide range of Armenian products, including flowers, fresh fruit and vegetables, potatoes, grapes, dried fruit, fish, dairy products, mineral water, and some alcoholic beverages, citing phytosanitary and veterinary concerns.
Earlier this week, Georgia’s Revenue Service rejected two shipments carrying 22,290 cut roses imported from Armenia at the Sadakhlo and Ninotsminda customs checkpoints. The agency said border quarantine inspections found violations of Georgia’s phytosanitary requirements, including the presence of live harmful organisms and plant damage, and the flowers were returned to Armenia.
The move came despite Georgia importing a record 218.2 tons of flowers from Armenia in May 2026. Armenia has been seeking alternative export markets, including Europe, after Russia imposed restrictions on Armenian flower imports following a deterioration in relations between the two countries.
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