“In 5 Years Russia not to Need Armenian Grapes, Cheap Wine and Brandy”
Avag Harutyunyan, chairman of the Union of Armenian Winemakers, touching upon temps of winemaking in Armenia, export issues told reporters that linked to depreciation of Russian ruble negative tendencies continue, however, negative temps, in his words, are lacking, “Currently there is something close to the zero point. It’s being restored in quantity, however, regarding quality crisis is observed. Constant growth is recorded in wine quality: new companies emerge, old ones improve the quality of their production. Armenia is no more the old Armenia. I may say regarding markets, that Russia’s share in export is recording a constant decrease.”
Making comparison with the first five months of 2013, he stated that 5% growth in vodka, 8% growth in brandy, 20% growth in wine and 28% growth in beer has been recorded, “We have official numbers, which speak of growth and those official numbers are correct. However, we have a reality, which edifies the contrary, and that reality is correct as well, as compared to the same period of 2015 he have -10% in vodka, +56% in brandy, +11% in wine and -12% beer, and -17% non-alcoholic drinks. According to information at our disposal, we have export growth, increase of price and volumes is observed as well, however, it doesn’t have any influence on our economy.
In his words, Armenia’s brandy producers work with disbenefit, “Under depreciation of Russian ruble Armenian brandy producers attempt not to lose the market, and interest shouldn’t even be touched upon.”
A.Harutyunyan stated that membership to EEU was a political resolution and had no connection to economy, or at least regarding wine and grapes, “Prior to engagement with EEU and after it our main market were those countries. Involving in EEU is 10-15% privilege regarding price, which under high cost price and transportation doesn’t have a considerable influence. Instead, we worsened relations with the European market, although currently nobody bans increasing volumes in the European market, however, Georgia is more accepted there than Armenia. Besides that Russia presently is developing rather serious programs on the development of wine making and viticulture and in 5 years Russia will need neither Armenian grapes, nor cheap wine, nor brandy.”
By Razmik Martirosyan
