China Suspends Seed Potato Import from Zebra Chip Disease Affected Countries

China has introduced new phytosanitary measures to prevent the introduction of Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum (CLso), a quarantine bacterium associated with economically important diseases affecting potatoes and several other crops.

The new requirements, jointly issued by the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) under Announcement No. 72 of 2026, will take effect on August 1, 2026.

The most significant measure affecting the potato industry is the suspension of import approvals for seed potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) and other potato propagative materials originating from countries and regions where CLso has been officially reported.

According to the announcement, the decision follows repeated interceptions of CLso in imported plants for planting during quarantine inspections. Chinese authorities stated that the new measures are intended to safeguard the country's agricultural production and ecological security.

Seed potato imports suspended from affected countries

China's new rules apply to countries and regions where CLso is known to occur. The current list includes the United States, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Finland, Sweden, Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Norway, Portugal, Serbia, Israel, Türkiye, South Korea, Morocco, Tunisia, Ecuador, Peru, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, New Zealand and Australia's Norfolk Island.

From August 1, 2026, China will no longer approve imports of seed potatoes and other potato planting materials originating from these countries and regions.

The list is not permanent. Chinese authorities said it will be updated as new outbreaks are reported globally or if additional interceptions are made at Chinese ports.

Why CLso matters to potato production

Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum is a phloem-limited bacterium that infects crops belonging to the Solanaceae and Apiaceae families, including potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, carrots, celery, parsley and coriander.

In potatoes, CLso is closely associated with Zebra Chip disease, a disorder that can significantly reduce crop value. Infected plants often show stunted growth, leaf yellowing and poor tuber development. More importantly for processors, infected tubers develop characteristic dark stripes when fried, making them unsuitable for potato chips and other processed potato products.

The bacterium is primarily transmitted by psyllid insects. However, infected planting material including seed potatoes is considered one of the highest-risk pathways for introducing the pathogen into new production areas, which explains China's decision to tighten import controls.

Different rules for vegetable seeds

While China has suspended import approvals for seed potatoes from affected countries, the requirements for several vegetable crops are different.

Imports of tomato, pepper, carrot, celery, coriander and parsley seeds from Italy and South Korea have also been suspended. However, trade may resume if the exporting country's National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) demonstrates that the planting materials originate from officially recognised CLso-free areas.

For other countries where CLso occurs, imports of these crops may continue, provided the planting materials are tested before export using International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) No. 27 – Diagnostic Protocol DP21 for Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum.

New phytosanitary certificate requirements

China has also introduced mandatory phytosanitary declarations for eligible planting materials.

For consignments originating from Italy and South Korea, the phytosanitary certificate must include the following additional declaration:

"This consignment of plants for planting is originated from area free of Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum and has been tested prior to export, and is found free of Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum."

For consignments from other affected countries and regions, the certificate must include the declaration:

"This consignment of plants for planting has been tested prior to export and is found free of Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum."

The required testing must be carried out by the exporting country's National Plant Protection Organization using the PCR diagnostic method specified in ISPM 27  Diagnostic Protocol DP21.

Stricter inspections at Chinese ports

Chinese Customs will review phytosanitary certificates accompanying imported planting materials and conduct quarantine inspections upon arrival.

Shipments that fail to meet the new documentation requirements or test positive for CLso will be returned or destroyed in accordance with China's quarantine regulations.

In addition, agricultural authorities will strengthen post-entry quarantine growing trials and surveillance to monitor imported planting materials after they enter the country.

Implications for the global seed potato industry

China's latest measures highlight the growing importance of plant biosecurity in international seed potato trade. For exporters from affected countries, access to the Chinese market for seed potatoes will remain suspended under the new rules.

The announcement also reinforces the importance of certified disease-free seed production, molecular diagnostics, traceability and strong phytosanitary systems as countries continue to tighten import requirements for planting materials.

China officially notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) of the new measures on June 4, 2026 under notification G/SPS/N/CHN/1387. The regulations entered into force on August 1, 2026 and the list of affected countries will remain subject to revision based on future surveillance and quarantine findings.