Russia to ban imports of planting and seed materials from the Netherlands

Rosselkhoznadzor, Russia’s agricultural safety watchdog, announced it will prohibit imports of seed and planting materials from the Netherlands starting June 30, 2025. The restrictions aim to maintain Russia’s phytosanitary security, protect the country’s greenhouse industry, and uphold its reputation as a reliable exporter.

The decision follows several recent detections of quarantine pests, including dodder (Cuscuta spp.) and western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis), found in Dutch-origin seed and planting materials imported through Hungary, Belarus, and Lithuania. According to Rosselkhoznadzor, these incidents suggest Dutch authorities have insufficient phytosanitary control measures.

Since November 23, 2023, Russia has already halted direct imports of similar plant products from the Netherlands. Nonetheless, significant quantities continued to enter Russia indirectly. Data from the Argus-Phyto information system indicates that as of June 22, 2025, Russia imported approximately 9.6 million units of planting material and 530.5 tons of seed material from the Netherlands. For the entirety of 2024, imports were significantly higher, reaching 41.6 million units and 671.9 tons respectively.