An Ecuadorian delegation is scheduled to travel to Moscow to discuss phytosanitary issues related to banana supplies to Russia. This visit follows an earlier notification by Russian authorities six months ago about the detection of phytosanitary problems in banana shipments from Ecuador. Russia's agricultural regulator, Rosselkhoznadzor, raised concerns about the systematic presence of the Megaselia scalaris (Loew) fly, a hazardous quarantine pest, in banana consignments from Ecuador. As a result, Rosselkhoznadzor requested the suspension of certification for bananas from five Ecuadorian exporters with the most violations. In response to these concerns, Russia is considering increasing banana imports from alternative sources such as Egypt, China, Korea, Thailand, and India, with Indian growers expressing interest in expanding their banana exports to Russia.
