Armenia may triple export of agro products to EEU states: Minister

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenia may double or even triple the exports of agricultural products to Russia and other countries of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), agriculture minister stated at his final news conference this year, according to ARKA.

Sergo Karapetyan added that exports of Armenian fruits (except fort apricots) and vegetables to Russia this year have doubled.

"Because of poor harvest of apricot this year we exported only 1,490 tons to Russia, against 24,000 tons in 2013. Other than that, the overall exports of fruits and vegetables to Russia have doubled,” Karapetyan said.

He also hailed increasing amounts of meat production, which may very well boost exports given the full use of the existing capacities of processing companies.

“Russia, Belarus and partly in Kazakhstan provided the largest consumer markets for export of Armenian agricultural products; now, with duty-free export opportunities Armenia may dramatically increase the sales volume,” the official said.

According to the ministry of agriculture, in 2014, Armenia produced 296,100 metric tons of fruits and berries, the figure dropping by 42,000 tons against 2013 due to damage caused by spring frosts.

Nevertheless, figures for other fruit crops are higher than last year. This year, Armenia winegrowers also produced 258,000 metric tons of grapes against 240,800 tons in 2013.