Russia has stopped imports from a Moroccan fish exporter after tests found arsenic in its refrigerated sole for a second time. The exporter, registered as “1310 POLYVALENT”, has been blocked from the Russian market since 7 September. The Russian Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance, known as Rosselkhoznadzor, imposed the restriction in a letter dated 28 August.
Russian laboratory tests found arsenic in refrigerated sole from the exporter. The document does not give the level of arsenic or the amount of fish affected.
The restriction applies only to this establishment. It does not cover other Moroccan fish exporters.
Fish shipped before 7 September can still enter Russia. Each shipment must first pass laboratory checks for the risk identified by Russian authorities.
The exporter had already faced tighter controls in June. Rosselkhoznadzor placed its products under increased checks on 26 June after arsenic was found in refrigerated sole.
The second detection led to the import suspension.
The decision comes as Moroccan seafood exports are growing in foreign markets. Spain imported nearly 50% more fish from Morocco in 2025 than in 2018.
Russia has not said when the restriction will end. The exporter must have its status changed in the Russian register of foreign suppliers before it can resume normal shipments.
