Fertilizer labelling from 1 November 2026: new rules for producers, importers and sellers

The Russian fertilizer market is preparing for the next stage of digital transformation. The government of the Russian Federation approved the rules of mandatory labeling of mineral and chemical fertilizers intended for horticulture, gardening and personal subsidiary farms. From November 1, 2026, manufacturers and importers will be required to apply special digital codes of the Honest Sign system on certain types of products.

For most buyers, the innovation may seem like another technical control measure. However, for manufacturers, suppliers, importers, distributors and retailers, this is a major change in business organization, logistics and document management.

Moreover, the authorities link the launch of labeling with the fight against illegal turnover of products, whose share in the fertilizer market remains quite high.

Why the government is introducing fertilizer labeling

The Russian market of goods for gardeners and summer residents continues to grow actively. Millions of homestead owners annually purchase fertilizers for vegetables, fruits, berries, flowers and ornamental plants.

However, with the increase in demand, the number of problems in the market increases.

According to experts of the Higher School of Economics, the volume of illegal turnover of fertilizers today can reach about 20% of the market. This means that one in five packages can potentially be of dubious origin, do not meet the declared composition or even be counterfeit.

The most common problems include:

• counterfeiting of well-known brands;
• discrepancy between the actual composition and the declared characteristics;
• violation of storage requirements;
• selling products without the necessary documents;
• use of uncertified raw materials;
• sale of goods of unknown origin through the Internet and spontaneous trading platforms.

As a result, not only buyers suffer, but also conscientious producers who are forced to compete with cheap illegal products.

That is why the state relies on a system of full digital traceability of goods.

What fertilizers will be subject to mandatory labeling

The new requirements will not affect all products of the agrochemical market.

Fertilizers in consumer packaging intended for retail sale to the public are subject to labeling.

First of all, we are talking about products containing the main elements of plant nutrition:

• nitrogen (N);
• phosphorus (P);
• Potassium (K).

The new rules will include:

• complex mineral fertilizers;
• nitrogen-phosphorus mixtures;
• Potassium nitrogen compounds;
• phosphorus-potassium fertilizers;
• NPK complexes;
• fertilizer in tablets;
• granular shapes;
• products in packaging up to 10 kg.

Thus, the changes will affect most of the goods that are sold today in garden centers, construction hypermarkets, shops for summer residents and marketplaces.

How will the labeling system work?

The mechanism is similar to the existing rules for other categories of goods.

Each package of fertilizers will receive a unique digital code Data Matrix, which will be applied by the manufacturer or importer.

After that, information about the product will accompany it at all stages of the movement:

Manufacturer → Importer → Distributor → Wholesale warehouse → Shop → Buyer

In fact, the state will be able to track the entire path of products from the moment of release to sale to the end consumer.

The buyer, in turn, will be able to verify the authenticity of the goods through the mobile application of the Honest Sign system.

Key dates for business

The transition to the new system will be gradual.

September 1, 2026

All participants in the fertilizer turnover must register in the “Honest Sign” system.

This concerns:

• producers;
• importers;
• wholesalers;
• distributors;
• retailers.

1 November 2026

Mandatory labeling codes for products begin.

From this date, manufacturers and importers will no longer be able to introduce new batches of fertilizers without digital labeling.

Until 1 November 2027

The transition period continues.

Products produced before the introduction of mandatory labeling are allowed to be sold without codes for another year.

This solution will avoid shortages of goods and give the business time to adapt.

What will change for producers

The most serious burden will fall on the producers.

They'll have to:

• connect to the “Honest Sign” system;
• Modernize packaging lines;
• installation of equipment for application of codes;
• to exchange data with the state system;
• Reorganize the internal processes of product accounting.

For large enterprises, such solutions have long become the standard of work. However, for small producers of horticultural goods, additional investment can be a significant expense.

At the same time, many market participants expect that the marking will reduce the share of illegal competitors and create fairer working conditions.

How the new rules will affect importers

Importers will also have to adapt their processes.

Now products will have to receive digital codes until they are put into circulation in Russia.

This means the need to:

• registration in the system;
• organization of marking of imported lots;
• Control the movement of products throughout the supply chain;
• transfer of information to the state information system.

For companies engaged in the supply of fertilizers from China, Turkey, EU countries and other countries, this will become another mandatory element of foreign economic activity.

Implications for logistics and warehouses

The introduction of labeling will not only affect manufacturers and importers.

The change will feel:

• logistic operators;
• warehouse complexes;
• distribution centers;
• marketplaces;
• large retail chains.

Working with labeled products requires the integration of accounting systems, the use of scanning equipment and the transfer of information about the movement of goods between participants in the supply chain.

Therefore, many companies are already beginning to assess the readiness of their warehouse and IT systems to new requirements.

What buyers will get

The ultimate beneficiary of reform must be the consumer.

After the launch of the system, buyers will be able to:

• verify the authenticity of products;
• receive reliable information about the manufacturer;
• see the origin of the goods;
• Avoid buying counterfeit goods;
• Be confident in the quality of fertilizer.

For the horticultural market, this is especially important, since the effectiveness of fertilizers directly affects the yield and results of work on the site.

How labeling will affect the market

Most experts expect that the introduction of labeling will lead to a gradual recovery of the market.

Among the most likely consequences:

• reducing the volume of illegal trafficking;
• Increased transparency of supply;
• strengthening of quality control of products;
• Increased confidence of buyers;
• reducing the proportion of counterfeits;
• Increased competition among legal producers.

In the short term, the business will face additional costs to implement new processes. However, in the long run, the market can become more civilized and predictable.

Outcomes

From November 1, 2026, the fertilizer market in Russia enters a new digital era. Mandatory labeling will be another step of the state to create a system of full traceability of goods and combat illegal trafficking in products.

For manufacturers, importers and sellers, this means preparing for new requirements in the coming months. For logistics companies – adaptation of accounting processes and movement of goods. For buyers - additional guarantees of quality and safety of purchased products.

With experts estimating that up to 20% of the fertilizer market today is in the shadow sector, the launch of labeling could be one of the most notable changes in the industry in recent years.