Since the beginning of 2026 (as of June), the import volume of fresh zucchini from China to Russia through the Zabaikalsk multilateral automobile checkpoint has exceeded 3.6 thousand tons. According to the Rosselkhoznadzor Administration for the Zabaikalsky Krai, this figure represents a 30% increase compared to the same period last year, when delivery volumes stood at 2.8 thousand tons.

The import of quarantine-regulated vegetable products is strictly overseen by supervisory authorities. The primary requirement for entry into the Russian Federation is an international phytosanitary certificate confirming the cargo's safety in its production zone. All arriving batches undergo mandatory laboratory testing.

During monitoring, specialists have recorded isolated cases of plant product infestation. Specifically, the quarantine pest Thrips palmi (Thrips palmi Karny) was detected in some batches of zucchini. This insect species poses a serious threat to domestic agricultural enterprises, especially greenhouse facilities, as it can infest a wide range of vegetable crops. In accordance with the regulations of the Eurasian Economic Union, infested products are not allowed into free circulation without appropriate decontamination procedures or are subject to destruction.

The dynamic growth in imports of basic vegetable crops from the PRC (+30% YoY for zucchini) indicates a stable demand for open-ground vegetables in Russia's eastern regions and the efficiency of the logistics corridor through Zabaikalsk. At the same time, the increasing frequency of detecting quarantine objects, such as Thrips palmi (previously considered rare in Russia), requires importers and logistics operators to carefully select suppliers in China. Blocking cargo at the border due to non-compliance with phytosanitary standards carries direct financial risks for FMCG distributors and can lead to the disruption of contracts with retail chains.