The Russian Greenhouse Association urged Denis Manturov, head of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, to include planting material for tulips, lilies, daffodils, hyacinths and other bulbous crops in the list of parallel imports. The appeal was signaled through a letter cited by a national publication, highlighting the ministry as a key interlocutor in this sector.
Reportedly, bulbs that are consistently imported rather than grown domestically are not part of the parallel-import list, and there is currently no domestic onion production in the country. This fact underscores the structural gap in local horticulture and the reliance on foreign inputs for staple bulbs and flowering stock. The association’s board member, Alexander Litvinenko, noted that growers would face significant sales challenges on May 8 if the import of bulbs is not approved. He emphasized that the timing matters: even a small delay in permitting imports can ripple through the supply chain and limit availability of flowering bulbs for the seasonal market. At the same time, there were no formal restrictions on fresh cut flowers entering from the European Union, though logistical hurdles continued to affect shipments. [Source attribution: The Russian Newspaper].
In response, the Ministry of Industry and Trade stated that bulbs fall under the purview of the Ministry of Agriculture. The agency also signaled caution about extending the parallel-import mechanism to agricultural products and food, expressing concerns about potential counterfeit goods and market distortions that could arise without robust verification. This stance reflects a broader governance approach where agricultural inputs and finished goods may be managed by different ministries to protect domestic producers and ensure quality controls. [Source attribution: Government statements reported in national media].
On May 6, authorities published an updated list of goods allowed for parallel import, expanding the scope to 96 items. The roster now includes electronics, household appliances, clothing, footwear, automobiles, and chemical products, signaling a broader effort to ease supply pressures across multiple sectors amid international trade strains. The development was described as part of a broader administrative process, with officials promising further review and adjustments in the upcoming quarters to address evolving market realities. [Source attribution: Official notice summarized in trade press].
Observers note that the parallel-import framework aims to balance access to essential goods with risks of domestic market disruption. For horticulture, in particular, the debate centers on the availability of planting material that can ensure timely spring planting, consumer choice, and price stability for growers who rely on imported bulbs. As policy discussions continue, stakeholders are urging a clear, predictable rule set that helps farmers plan their cultivation cycles, while consumers benefit from continued access to diverse flowering varieties. The evolving policy landscape will likely influence both imports of planting material and the broader flow of agricultural inputs, with repercussions for export-oriented horticulture and domestic garden centers alike. [Cited analyses from industry observers and policy briefings].