A shipment of potatoes imported from Georgia to Azerbaijan has been found to contain stem nematode, a microscopic parasitic worm known to infect and damage plant stems.
According to Caliber.Az, citing the Azerbaijan Food Safety Agency (AFSA), the affected batch was produced by the Georgian company "Union Export 2024" and imported by the Azerbaijani firm Foreign Fruit LLC.
AFSA reported that the 24.5-tonne shipment failed to meet Azerbaijan's phytosanitary standards, and authorities have decided that the contaminated potatoes will be either re-exported or disposed of outside the country's customs territory.
The stem nematode (Ditylenchus dipsaci) is considered one of the most dangerous agricultural pests, capable of infesting over 450 plant species, including potatoes, onions, garlic, and ornamental crops. Its presence can cause significant yield losses and poses a serious challenge for plant health authorities.
Source: caliber.az
