Today, Armenian Cheese brand is registered in trade systems of Russia and the U.S., Director General of the Armenian Development Agency (ADA) said.

“At a primary stage, ADA focused on the Russian market to strengthen the brand position,” Robert Harutyunyan told a press conference in Yerevan on Jan 24.

According to Harutyunyan, 25 tons of Armenian cheese was exported to Russia in 2011.

“There is an agreement with the Russian side for export of Armenian cheese at the total amount of $1,5 mln, and the main task is to overcome barriers for entering international markets,” he said.

Harutyunyan reminded that Armenia has been negotiating with EU on joining the Free Trade Agreement that stipulates review of standards with the aim of bringing them in compliance with international norms for all Armenian producers.

According to Armenian producers, Armenia outputs 17 thous. tons of cheese yearly, of which 200-400 tons are exported. Over 25 sorts of cheese are produced in Armenia, such as chanakh, lori, suluguni etc.

The state-owned Armenian Cheese CJSC was founded at the beginning of 2010 by Armenian Development Agency and the Union of Cheese Producers designated to provide increase of exports volume of production produced by various local companies under the common brand Armenian Cheese.