Experts from Russian plant and animal health watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor will audit Ecuador's banana certification system in April, the agency said.

"This step is aimed at ensuring compliance with international and Russian phytosanitary requirements, as well as improving the quality of exported products," the watchdog said after talks between representatives of Rosselkhoznadzor and the Ecuadoran Agriculture Ministry's agricultural produce quality control agency Agrocalidad. Ecuador accounts for 16% of Russian imports of products subject to quarantine, the agency reported Rosselkhoznadzor deputy head Yulia Shabauskene, as stated at the talks. Fresh bananas comprise many of these shipments, with imports totalling 1.3 million tonnes in 2024. Direct imports of Ecuadoran flowers tripled to 50 million units, while imports of cocoa beans surged 40-fold to 4,700 tonnes. During the talks, the parties exchanged signed alternate agreements between the governments of Russia and Ecuador regarding cooperation in the areas of quarantine and plant protection.

"The signing of the agreements will make it possible to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the area of phytosanitary control, increase the safety of shipped products, and open up additional prospects for joint initiatives," the agency said.