Uzbekistan temporarily bans fruit imports from China amid pest fears

Uzbekistan has suspended mandarin and pineapple imports from China following the discovery of dangerous plant pests in multiple shipments, according to the Agency for Quarantine and Plant Protection.

The ban targets fruit consignments from China after samples taken from about 20 shipments tested positive for quarantine pests at the Central Phytosanitary Laboratory. Confirmed harmful organisms include:

• Citrus whitefly (Dialeurodes citri), a sap-sucking insect that damages a wide range of citrus crops.
• Eastern citrus scale (Unaspis yanonensis), which feeds on plant sap and weakens fruit trees.
• Pineapple mealybug (Dysmicoccus brevipes), a pest that infests pineapple plants and reduces yields.

The agency said the measure is temporary and preventive, aimed at stopping the spread of harmful pests into Uzbekistan’s orchards and agricultural land. Quarantine permits for mandarins and pineapples will remain suspended until the root causes of the contamination are addressed and necessary safeguards are in place.

Uzbek officials have notified their counterparts at China’s National Plant Quarantine Authority, providing laboratory results and supporting documentation as part of standard plant health co-operation.

Who else Uzbekistan sources fruit from

Mandarins and pineapples are part of Uzbekistan’s growing seasonal imports, especially in autumn and winter when local citrus yields are limited. Prior to the temporary ban, major sources included:

• Türkiye and Iran – seasonal citrus, particularly mandarins, often imported during off-season months.
• China – a significant supplier of both mandarins and pineapples throughout the year.
• South Africa and South-East Asia – occasional sources of tropical fruits, including pineapples.

Uzbekistan does have local citrus cultivation, particularly in southern regions such as Surkhandarya and Qashqadarya but domestic mandarin production does not currently meet national demand and pineapple cultivation is extremely limited due to climatic constraints.

Trade between Uzbekistan and China remains significant. In 2025, bilateral trade totalled about $17.2 billion, accounting for roughly 21.2% of Uzbekistan’s total foreign trade turnover.

Imports from China made up more than 30% of Uzbekistan’s total imports in 2025, reflecting deep economic integration between the two countries.

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