Russia has returned some 370 tons of tangerines sent from Turkey in 16 shipments, citing the detection of agricultural pests in the fruit, Gazete Duvar’s English service reported.
According to Rosselkhoznadzor, Russia’s Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance, Mediterranean fruit flies were found in the tangerines, which led to the agricultural watchdog banning their entry to the country.
In a statement to Russian media Rosselkhoznadzor said the fruit traveled to the Russian port city Novorossiysk by sea.
Agricultural inspections were carried out on the tangerines between Oct. 18 and 20 and the insect, which is on Russia’s quarantine list, was found alive in the fruit.
An official from Rosselhoznadzor said that all 16 batches of “unhealthy” fruit were sent back to the exporters.
The watchdog previously raised concerns about the deteriorating situation of fruit exported from Turkey.
Pests that are on Russia’s quarantine list were detected a total of 1,495 times in fruits and vegetables sent from Turkey.