Eggplants and potatoes from Armenia have been banned from import to Russia.
Rosselkhoznadzor has once again expanded the list of Armenian fruit and vegetable products banned from import, now including potatoes and eggplants. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan promised farmers compensation for losses from the Russian embargo.
As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," Rosselkhoznadzor imposed temporary restrictions on the import of flowers from Armenia starting May 22, 2026, and on fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, herbs, and strawberries starting May 30. In addition, the import of all batches of Armenian mineral water "Jermuk" and certain cognacs and wines to Russia was suspended, and the import of fish from Armenia was significantly restricted. As of June 2, Rosselkhoznadzor extended the ban to fresh grapes and stone fruits, including cherries.
The Russian Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance Service has again expanded the list of products banned from import from Armenia. As of June 3, the ban has been extended to potatoes, eggplants, pome fruits, and dried fruits.
The agency's statement notes that the ban applies to both products grown in Armenia and those transported through its territory. The transit of these products to EAEU member states through Russia is also prohibited, according to a statement on the Rosselkhoznadzor website.
The agency once again criticized the structural reforms carried out by the Armenian government in 2019. "The Armenian Ministry of Economy is experiencing structural problems and is failing to fulfill its mandate to oversee agricultural producers," the publication notes.
Pashinyan promised compensation to farmers
Armenian exporting farmers will receive compensation from the government if their produce is damaged as a result of the bans imposed by Russia, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated.
The promise of compensation was made at a pre-election meeting between Pashinyan and residents of the village of Lchashen in the Gegharkunik region.
"If the peppers spoil, the roses spoil—the government will pay for it. But as a result of all this, both pepper production and export volumes will increase in Armenia," the news agency "Novosti Armenia" quotes him as saying.
On May 29, a representative of the Armenian Ministry of Economy met with farmers in the village of Arshaluys in the Armavir region, who had blocked the road due to the lack of a market for tomatoes following Russia's import ban. He recommended them to sell their harvest at special markets in Yerevan. The farmers countered that the journey is time-consuming, and prices are low due to the import of tomatoes from Iran.
Pashinyan noted that only those producers whose products fully meet quality criteria are eligible for compensation for unfair export barriers, while others will be able to count on other types of support.
“We cannot export low-quality products to the detriment of our sovereignty and state interests. We will support these businessmen so that they can bring their products up to new quality standards,” Armenpress quotes the prime minister as saying.
Pashinyan also added that other international partners have expressed interest in Armenian roses, fruits, and vegetables; the government has received offers to supply these goods to new markets.
The June 7 parliamentary elections in Armenia will effectively be a referendum on the future of Nikol Pashinyan’s government and the country’s foreign policy. At stake is the current team’s retention of power or its transfer to the opposition, which promises to reconsider key decisions of recent years, according to the Caucasian Knot report “2026 Elections to the National Assembly (Parliament) of Armenia.” Samvel Karapetyan's Strong Armenia, along with Robert Kocharyan's Armenia bloc and Gagik Tsarukyan's Prosperous Armenia Party, is one of the most pro-Russian parties in the Armenian parliamentary elections. The Kremlin is backing Karapetyan, but he is legally ineligible to participate, Armenian political scientists previously noted.
Farmers have faced problems supplying Armenian produce to Russia before. In August 2025, hundreds of trucks carrying grapes, plums, and peaches were not allowed to enter Russia at the Upper Lars checkpoint and were forced to return to Armenia. This problem is political in nature, said opposition MP Garnik Danielyan.