In a blow to Tajikistan's anemic economy, consumers in Russia will no longer be able to enjoy one of the country's chief exports: pistachios, walnuts, apricots, and other dried fruits and nuts.

On May 2, the Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Welfare banned the import of Tajik dried fruit and nuts because of an outbreak of polio in southern Tajikistan:

Considering active trade relations, there is a risk of importing “wild” poliovirus to the territory of our country through contaminated food products. Considering that, a particular danger is represented by dried fruits and nuts, used directly in food without processing.

The ban "applies not only to firms and companies that import Tajik dried fruits into Russia, but also to individual who carry the goods in their baggage and hand luggage," Ferghana.ru reports, noting the importance of the income to Tajik farmers.

Russian customs officials at land crossings and airports have been instructed to prevent import of the products.


Polio is transmitted via oral contact with stools and saliva.

With Russia asserting itself through the region in the wake of Kyrgyzstan's April uprising, I wonder if there is a more strategic motive than public health.