Armenia seeks ways to develop wine-making

PanARMENIAN.Net -

According to Fruitfull Armenia executive director Anna Christine Shirinian, this industry should be developed, with introduction of modern technologies. “Russia, which banned import of Georgian and Moldovan wine, can become the main market,” she said.

Meanwhile, head of Armenian Winemakers’ Union, Avag Harutyunyan, forecast 20-30% increase in grape harvest in Armenia as compared with 2009. As he told a news conference, recent drop in wine and brandy sales, as well as dwindling demand for grapes is caused by the crisis.

“25% decrease in grape purchase contracts was reported in 2010. AMD 200 million are yet to be paid to farmers as last year’s debt,” he said.

According to Harutyunyan, price for grapes will depend on Yerevan Brandy Company’s policy. “The major part of the harvest will be purchased for AMD 110-130 per kg,” he said.

At the same time he warned that vine fretter can badly damage Armenian vineyards within 5 years.

“Affecting the roots, vine fretter can kill the plant during 3 or 4 years. It’s not curable. The only way to struggle is to dug out the old vineyards and plant new ones, what will cost $270-290 million,” he said. “Since the USSR decline, no measure has been taken to prevent the spread of the illness, which was lately detected in Tavush region.”