Armenian Agriculture Takes a 12% Hit Amid Russian Export Restrictions and Falling Prices

Alongside restrictions in the Russian market, Armenia's agricultural output dropped by nearly 12% during the first half of the year. According to official statistics, this downturn coincided with a noticeably smaller harvest of fruits and vegetables.

Harvest Waste and Plummeting Prices

Fruit growers in the Armavir province—a major agricultural hub in Armenia—are reporting severe difficulties selling their peaches. Buyers are offering a mere 100 dram per kilogram, leading many farmers to simply let the ripe fruit rot and fall from the trees.

"I was supposed to harvest the peaches yesterday, but I didn't because nobody wanted them. Not a single dried fruit producer is interested," one local farmer told News.am.

Another orchard owner shared his frustration with Azatutyun (Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty):

"I have already thrown away 15 tons, and by tomorrow it will be 30 tons."

Between January and June, nearly 120 million flowers were harvested across the country, an increase of almost 9 million compared to the previous year. However, since May, the total export value of tomatoes and flowers has been slashed in half, leading to a sharp drop in domestic prices and leaving farmers in a dire situation.

"What I have now is a bankrupt greenhouse. I am bankrupt. There needs to be someone to assess what people have lost..." a frustrated farmer complained to Azatutyun.

The crisis extends to the aquaculture sector as well. By July, the price of fresh fish had dropped by nearly 12% compared to the beginning of the year. Concurrently, Russia has banned the import of certain Armenian alcoholic beverages, although no price drops have been recorded for these specific products yet.

Export Statistics and Trade Partners

In the first half of the year, Armenia exported nearly $3.5 billion worth of goods. Despite the ongoing restrictions, Russia remains the country's primary trading partner. The export landscape breaks down as follows:

• Russia: Over $1.2 billion, accounting for about 36% of total exports (a decrease of 4.2% compared to last year). In June alone, nearly $200 million worth of goods were exported.
• China: Nearly $530 million, making up 15.3% of the total (experiencing a twofold increase).
• European Union: Over half a billion dollars, representing 15% of exports (with nearly $56 million exported in June).

Meanwhile, export volumes to neighboring Iran and Georgia have seen double-digit percentage drops.