Uzbekistan temporarily restricts mandarin and pineapple imports from China over quarantine pests

According to the Agency for Plant Quarantine and Protection, laboratory tests conducted by the Central Phytosanitary Lab identified several quarantine pests in imported fruit, including the citrus whitefly (Dialeurodes citri), the Japanese citrus scale (Unaspis yanonensis), and the pineapple mealybug (Dysmicoccus brevipes). These harmful organisms were found in nearly 20 consignments of mandarins and pineapples delivered from China.

Due to the systematic detection of quarantine objects, the agency temporarily suspended the issuance of quarantine import permits for these products. The Chinese national plant quarantine authority has been formally notified about the contaminated shipments. The agency did not initially specify the exact start or end date of the restriction.

Subsequently, the Agency for Plant Quarantine and Protection clarified that imports of mandarins and pineapples from China will be allowed until February 5, provided the shipments are accompanied by valid phytosanitary certificates issued by Chinese quarantine authorities. During this period, all consignments will undergo strict phytosanitary control upon arrival in Uzbekistan, with mandatory sampling and laboratory analysis to ensure compliance with national quarantine requirements.

The agency emphasized that the detected pests do not pose a threat to human health, noting that plant diseases and agricultural pests are not harmful to people.

Officials also stated that negotiations are ongoing with the Chinese side to ensure that imported products fully meet Uzbekistan’s phytosanitary standards. As part of these efforts, a new registry of orchards and packing facilities in China that comply with Uzbekistan’s requirements is expected to be established in 2026.