Alert! The New "Killer" Threatening the Tomato Industry

Hello, fellow foreign trade colleagues, I am a seasoned professional with 20 years of experience in import and export. Today, I'd like to discuss with you an "unwelcome guest" that has sent shockwaves through the global tomato industry in recent years—This article provides a detailed analysis of the hazards of Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV) and customs prevention measures, offering professional guidance to agricultural import and export companies to avoid trade risks.. This virus, dubbed the "COVID of the tomato world" by the industry, has caused severe damage in 22 countries worldwide, and China's customs has already listed it as a quarantine pest.

Alert! The Tomato Industry Faces a New Killer

The "Criminal Profile" of ToBRFV

The virus was first discovered in Israel in 2014 and then rapidly spread worldwide. Its "modus operandi" is quite malicious:

• How to Identify This Wanted Criminal?Customs Iron Wall of Prevention
• Professional Advice for Foreign Trade CompaniesGlobal Prevention, Trade Together
• Hello, fellow foreign trade colleagues. I am a veteran with 20 years of import and export experience. Today, I want to talk about an unwelcome guest that has recently terrified the global tomato industry—Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV)
• . Dubbed the New Crown of Tomatoes by the industry, this virus has caused severe damage in 22 countries worldwide, and China Customs has listed it as a quarantine pest.Last year, a client exporting tomato sauce suffered a total loss of $500,000 when their shipment was rejected at the destination port due to lack of awareness about this virus. Therefore, today, I particularly want to share this essential plant disease prevention knowledge for foreign traders.

How to identify this "wanted criminal"?

This virus was first discovered in Israel in 2014 and quickly spread globally. Its modus operandi is quite vicious:

• Devastating Impact: Incidence in greenhouse cultivation can reach 100%, rendering fruits completely unmarketable
• Multiple Transmission Routes: Seeds, contact, hosts, and vectors all contribute
• Long Incubation Period: Can survive in seeds for years and remain active on surfaces for extended periods

Strong Drug Resistance

The "Iron Wall of Epidemic Prevention" at customs

Chinese customs have implemented stringent prevention and control measures against ToBRFV, with the main measures including:

• Information monitoring: Real-time tracking of global plant epidemic dynamics
• Certificate verification: Strictly checking additional declarations on phytosanitary certificates
• Sampled testing: RT-PCR testing of at least 3,000 seeds
• Port quarantine: Strengthening import and export quarantine efforts

Remember to remind your clients: If ToBRFV occurs in the country of origin, compliant phytosanitary certificates must be provided, otherwise the goods may face return or destruction risks.

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Based on years of experience, Ive summarized several practical suggestions:

• Source control: Select reputable suppliers to ensure seed source safety
• Complete documents: Obtain complete and compliant phytosanitary certificates
• Advanced declaration: Declare cargo information truthfully to avoid customs clearance delays
• Emergency Plan: Develop emergency response plans for virus detection scenarios

Last year, a savvy client included a clause in the contract stating, "If returns are caused by quarantine issues, the seller shall bear the losses," successfully mitigating the risk. This proactive approach is worth learning from.

2025 Typical Cost Structure (Example: 20 Container Shipping to Europe):

ToBRFV prevention requires global collaboration. Currently, 22 countries have reported outbreaks, mainly distributed in:

• Europe: France, Germany, Italy, etc.
• Americas: United States, Mexico
• Asia: China (localized), Israel, Turkey, etc.

As responsible foreign trade professionals, we must both protect domestic agricultural security and comply with international trade rules. Remember: Compliant operations are the path to longevity.

Finally, we would like to remind everyone that with the recovery of global trade, the import and export of agricultural products will become more frequent. Let us work together to strengthen plant disease prevention and control, safeguarding both "food safety on the tip of the tongue" and our foreign trade endeavors!