North Africa, renowned for its quality agricultural products, maintains close trade relations with many international markets. THE Moroccoa major player in this region, stands out particularly in the export of market garden products. However, a recent decision by the Russian authorities has disrupted these trade exchanges.
Russian agricultural services have taken a drastic measure in the Kaliningrad region, where more than a ton of Moroccan tomatoes have been quarantined. This decision follows the discovery of two pathogens of particular concern: tomato rough brown fruit virus and pepino mosaic virus.
The threat identified by the Kaliningrad laboratory, attached to the “VNIIZH” research institute, raises serious concerns for the local agricultural sector. These viruses are highly contagious, capable of spreading rapidly through various vectors. Health experts warn of multiple possible modes of transmission, involving not only infected plants and seeds, but also agricultural tools, insects and irrigation systems.
This situation highlights the crucial issues of health security in international agricultural trade. The Russian authorities, keen to protect their local production, had to take preventive measures in the face of this phytosanitary threat. This decision highlights the importance of rigorous controls in the international trade of agricultural products, particularly when it comes to sensitive commodities such as tomatoes.
