Director of Ashtarak Kat Company Stepan Aslanyan is the interlocutor of Armenian News-NEWS.am.

“Ashtarak Kat” CJSC is a company well-known by the Armenian consumers for a long time. Are you satisfied with the position that the company holds in the local dairy market?

“Ashtarak-Kat” Company constantly strives to develop and maintain high quality of its products. We follow the developments in the sphere and try first to present innovations by enhancing production in respect of both technology and skilled labor. This and a number of other consecutive steps ensure the strong position of the company in the local market and of course, create preconditions for export of our products.

Each company’s primary objectives are continuous development and attracting stronger position in the market, however, Armenian market is quite limited. You should probably pay attention to the markets of neighboring states. Has any work been done in this direction?

All developed companies have aspiration and goals for the export realization. Being established as a leading company in local market also supposes export prospects, which in our case is already implemented for a long time. Currently we export several products – jams, canned food and milk powder – to Russian Federation and ice-cream and waffle cones to Georgia. As for the dairy products, I can say that it has been several months that preparatory work has been carried out to export diary to Georgia. Now I can say that “Ashtarak Kat” Company will export dairy products to Georgia very soon. 

Why are you taking steps in this direction now? Were there any problems before or the company was just focused on the Armenian market?

We always pay special attention to the export issue. Continuous research and studies were conducted in this direction. As I said, certain types of products are currently exported. Regarding dairy products, we also have experience in their export in relatively small quantity. The foreseen export volume will be substantially larger and will be extended over time.

What is the reason of choosing the Georgian market? Is it the immediate neighborhood of Georgia to Armenia or there are other circumstances?  

Several factors contributed to such a decision. First of all, as you already mentioned, Georgia is our immediate neighbor. Besides, we also conducted researches to make sure there is a positive attitude towards the brand in Georgia. For several years, “Ashtarak Kat” and its dairy products participated in the exhibitions held in Georgia and as a result our dairy products enjoy great interest and demand among Georgian people and local Armenian population.

Is it possible to establish production in Georgia as well? We know that you are actively working with farmers in Armenia; do you have any programs of cooperation with the farmers in Javakhk?

There are always goals to expand, develop and find new directions for collaboration. At this moment I cannot say anything specific but in near future we see a possibility to start new production as well as partnership with new farmsteads.

By the way, what kind of variety is offered in the Armenian market at the moment? And which types of dairy products do you intend to export to Georgian market?

“Ashtarak Kat” Company offers to the Armenian consumers the widest assortment of dairy products: in the range from classical dairy products up to the ice-cream, cheese, yoghurts and, of course, ‘Kovik’ brand, which is the first low-fat dairy product series in Armenia.

As for the Georgian export, large part of our variety – ‘Classic’ and ‘Kovik’ dairy (sour cream, curd, matsoun), glazed curds, processed and Lori cheese, drinkable and classic yoghurts, especially children’s favorite Yogu-Mogu and Mojo – will be available for Georgian consumers. By its design the latest has really been popular among Georgians and the current activity in Mojo Facebook page is the proof of it.

When do you plan to start export to Georgian market?

As I said, over the past few months, we have carried out preparatory work and I think already in November the Georgian consumers will also have the opportunity to enjoy Armenian high-quality dairy products.

In what quantity do you plan to export dairy to Georgia?

Initially the export will be realized in experimental batches, but with a time course the volumes will be extended, of course, along with the growing demand and in accordance with the results of research and analysis.

Ashtarak Kat Company was founded in 1995. Presently the company has about 500 employees, produces 45 kinds of ice cream, with its flavoring subspecies, milk powder, jams and preserves, 60 types of dairy products with its subspecies, including ‘Kovik’ dairy products which are the first low-fat dairy product series in Armenia.

Currently, Ashtarak Kat Company cooperates with over 6000 farmsteads, the number of which is increasing year by year.