YEREVAN. – Demand for Armenia-produced potatoes is growing in Russia, Agriculture Minister Sergo Karapetyan said in parliament on Friday.

The Minister was asked about the costs necessary for the expansion of agricultural exports from Armenia to the Russian Federation.

Accession to the Eurasian Economic Union, said Karapetyan, creates new prospects for Armenian exports, particularly to Russia.

“The Russian market has always been a target for us, and is consuming on average 75% of our export industry,” Karapetyan said.

He noted that the ministry had developed a program of agricultural development for 2015- 2017, and is already working with the governors to increase crop acreage. The volume of export to Russia is growing, except for apricots affected by spring frost.

“And this is not only about fruits, the export of potatoes has increased significantly this year. In January-October 2013, we exported 8,900 tons, and already 21,000 tons this year,” he added.