YEREVAN. – Statistics on gross harvest in Armenia has not been entirely convincing for quite a few years. Discrepancies are only too evident in comparison not only with everyday life experience (anecdotal evidence is much exposed to bias labeling), but also in cross-examining other statistical data.

According to the data of the Ministry of Agriculture of Armenia, as per end-July 2015, the nation harvested 103 thousand tons of apricots, of which exported around 21 thousand tons. Presumably, the remaining 82 thousand were consumed domestically – fresh, canned, or dried.

But, even allowing for most headlong assumptions, Armenian population, most unfortunately, does not consume 82 thousand tons of apricots, which is evident from sheer statistical data.

In 2010-13, according to the state statistical data, per capita national consumption of fruit and berries was roughly 50 kilograms per year, or 4.2 kg a month.

This said, even if one were to surmise that June through August three million Armenian residents eat no other fruits but apricots, including toddlers and the most elderly, consumption of fresh apricots simply cannot exceed 38 thousand tons. But according to the ministry of agriculture, there’s still have 54 thousand tons left…

It’s true that per capita fruit consumption data includes not only fresh, but also processed fruit. But then we have to convince ourselves that Armenians indulge themselves not only to lots of apricots, but also to plenty of juice, jelly, and dried apricots.

Well, we absolutely don’t mind. In fact, we would be more than happy.