Calibrachoa and Petunia Cuttings from Uganda: new phytosanitary exception for EU importers 2026

Key data

European ornamental plant nurseries and importers have had a legal route since 23 June 2026 to bring unrooted cuttings of Calibrachoa spp., Petunia spp. and their hybrids from Uganda. The Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1376 establishes a temporary exception to the phytosanitary restrictions of Regulation 2019/2072, which until now blocked or limited this import.

The measure responds to a real need in the European ornamental horticultural sector, which partly depends on imported plant propagation material to meet its production demand. The exception is not a liberalisation: it comes with strict health conditions that operators must comply with before goods cross the border.

What does this regulation establish?

Regulation 2026/1376 introduces a specific and temporary exception to the EU's general phytosanitary restrictions regime for the introduction of plant propagation material from third countries. Until its publication, Regulation 2019/2072 acted as a barrier to entry for these cuttings from Uganda.

The key elements established by the regulation are:

• Authorised products: unrooted cuttings for planting of Calibrachoa spp., Petunia spp. and their hybrids.
• Authorised country of origin: Uganda.
• Strict health conditions: introduction is subject to specific requirements to minimise the risk of introduction of pests or diseases into EU territory.
• Inspection requirements: importers must pass phytosanitary controls at the point of entry to the EU.
• Phytosanitary certification: it is mandatory for each shipment. Without a valid certificate, goods cannot be admitted.
• Modified base regulation: Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2072, which regulates phytosanitary measures for pest protection in the EU.

The exception does not eliminate general phytosanitary obligations: it adds and specifies them for this specific commercial flow. Operators who already imported plant material from other origins must review whether their internal certification and control procedures are applicable to this new Uganda-EU corridor.

Economic and operational impact

For the ornamental plant sector, this exception opens a new source of propagation material supply that was previously inaccessible from Uganda. The operational impact is concentrated in three areas:

• Supply chain: nurseries can diversify suppliers of Calibrachoa and Petunia cuttings, reducing dependence on other origins. This is particularly valuable during high-demand seasons or when there is scarcity in alternative markets.
• Compliance costs: the exception is not free in operational terms. Each shipment requires phytosanitary certification issued in Uganda and passing inspections at the EU border. These procedures have direct costs (inspection fees, document management) and indirect costs (time, possible border delays).
• Risk of border rejection: if phytosanitary documentation does not meet the specific requirements established in Regulation 2026/1376, the shipment may be rejected or destroyed. This operational risk must be managed before placing the first order.

The regulation does not establish volume quotas or specific tariffs: the economic impact will depend on the volume each operator decides to import and the certification and logistics costs associated with the Uganda-EU route.

Who does it affect?

• Importers of ornamental plant material operating routes from Uganda or evaluating diversifying their supply origin.
• Ornamental plant producer nurseries in the EU that use Calibrachoa or Petunia cuttings as the basis for their production.
• Wholesale distributors in the ornamental horticultural sector acting as intermediaries between Ugandan producers and European nurseries.
• Operators of phytosanitary entry points at EU borders who will have to apply the new inspection protocols.
• Advisors and customs agents managing phytosanitary documentation for this type of goods.

Practical example

A Spanish nursery specialising in seasonal ornamental plants wants to incorporate hybrid Petunia cuttings from a Ugandan producer for its spring 2027 campaign. Before Regulation 2026/1376, this import was not possible under the general regime of Regulation 2019/2072.

With the new exception in force from 23 June 2026, the nursery can proceed, but must:

1. Ensure that the Ugandan supplier has valid phytosanitary certification issued by the competent authorities of Uganda for unrooted cuttings of Petunia spp.
2. Coordinate with its customs agent the submission of documentation at the EU phytosanitary entry point.
3. Plan additional time in its logistics planning for border inspection controls.
4. Verify that the cuttings meet the specific health conditions required by Regulation 2026/1376 before they leave Uganda, to avoid the risk of rejection and loss of goods.

If the shipment passes phytosanitary inspection, the cuttings can enter EU territory and be used in production. If the documentation is incomplete or the cuttings do not pass the control, the shipment may be rejected or destroyed without compensation.

What should companies do now?

1. Review the complete Regulation 2026/1376 to understand the specific health conditions required for Calibrachoa, Petunia and their hybrid cuttings from Uganda. It is not enough to know that the exception exists: you must know the exact requirements.
2. Contact Ugandan suppliers to verify that they can issue the phytosanitary certification required by EU regulations before placing any orders.
3. Update internal import procedures to include the specific documentary and inspection controls for this corridor. If plant material is already imported from other origins, verify whether existing procedures are sufficient or require adaptation.
4. Coordinate with the customs agent or broker to ensure they know the phytosanitary requirements of Regulation 2026/1376 and can correctly manage documentation at the border.
5. Plan logistics timelines taking into account the times for phytosanitary inspection at the EU entry point, especially during high-demand seasons.
6. Consult with national phytosanitary authorities (in Spain, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food — Plant Health) to resolve doubts about the practical application of the exception at Spanish entry points.

Official source

Consult full regulation at official source — EUR-Lex: Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1376

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/./legal-content/AUTO/?uri=OJ:L_202601376