The Plant Protection Agency (PPA) has announced a temporary ban on the import of tangerines and pineapples from China Tuesday.
According to the agency, the Central Phytosanitary Laboratory detected quarantine pests in some samples of imported produce:
- citrus whitefly (Dialeurodes citri Ashmead);
- oriental citrus scale (Unaspis yanonensis Kuwana);
- pineapple mealybug (Dysmicoccus brevipes Cockerell).
The insects were found in 20 shipments. Documents regarding the detection of infested produce have been sent to the National Plant Protection Organization of China.
The agency clarified that the import of mandarins and pineapples previously shipped from China is permitted until February 5, with phytosanitary certificates issued by the Chinese quarantine service. All shipments will undergo mandatory phytosanitary inspection, including sampling.
Reportedly, the identified pests do not pose a threat to human health, as plant pests do not have a negative impact on the human body.
The agency added that the Chinese authorities had been officially notified of the identified violations, and negotiations were currently underway to ensure product imports complied with strict phytosanitary requirements. Specifically, a new registry of orchards and packaging facilities in China that meet Uzbekistan's requirements is planned for 2026.
The imposed restrictions are temporary and will remain in effect until the underlying causes are rectified, the statement concluded.
