Kazakhstan Introduces Temporary Ban on Sunflower Seed Imports from the Russian Federation

The Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan has announced the introduction of temporary restrictions on the import of seed and food sunflower from the Russian Federation. The official request to Rosselkhoznadzor to suspend the issuance of phytosanitary certificates takes effect on October 23, 2026. This measure aims to protect the domestic agro-industrial complex and prevent the spread of dangerous plant diseases across the country.

The primary reason for imposing the restrictions is a sharp increase in the detection of quarantine objects in imported products. Specifically, over the 2025–2026 period, specialists recorded 23 cases of imported seeds infected with sunflower stem canker, caused by the fungus Diaporthe helianthi (phomopsis). Phomopsis can cause severe damage to the oilseed harvest, leading to stem and leaf necrosis.

The relevant ministry emphasizes that these restrictions are strictly temporary. The ban is necessary to allow the Committee of State Inspection in the Agro-Industrial Complex of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan to conduct a detailed phytosanitary risk assessment and develop safety measures to protect Kazakh fields from the introduction of the dangerous infection.

It is worth noting that the Russian Federation currently stands as a key and largest supplier of oilseeds to the Kazakhstan market. According to official statistics, during the 2025/26 marketing year, Kazakhstan imported a total of approximately 137,000 tons of sunflower seeds, with the lion's share—around 122,000 tons—sourced from Russia. In the previous season, import volumes from the Russian Federation were slightly higher at approximately 129,000 tons.

Agricultural community members and market experts point out that the temporary suspension of supplies from Russia could significantly impact the processing capacity utilization of domestic processing plants and pricing balances on the domestic oilseed market. Nevertheless, the top priority for state agencies remains maintaining phytosanitary well-being and preventing environmental and economic risks for Kazakhstan's crop production sector.