Approx. 135 thousand sheep were exported from Armenia to Iran in 2011, similarly to 2010, to further stimulate sheep breeding in the country, according to government-approved concept, First Deputy Minister of Agriculture said.

As Grisha Baghiyan told a news conference in Yerevan, the concept envisages increase of sheep population in Armenia from current 600 thousand to 1,5 million.

Meanwhile, the experts are explaining current mutton shortage and high prices by mass exports of sheep to Iran and Arab countries.

To boost sheep breeding income, the government suggested local slaughter of sheep instead of export, which will enable usage of wool, hide, and entrails.