By Smbat Grigoryan

YEREVAN. – Even though Armenia is considered a grape country and Armenian brandy is known around the world, vodka ranks first in the country in terms of use of strong alcoholic beverages.

An average-price brandy is 4.7 times more expensive than vodka in the country.

If we compare the monthly production capacity with Armenia’s population, however, we will see that brandy is the leader with 0.45 liters per capita, against 0.23 liters of vodka. 

But brandy imports, unlike those of vodka, are just symbolic. Armenia exports the vast majority of brandy produced in the country.

In December, however, vodka production and imports increase sharply in Armenia, and in connection with the New Year holidays. 

The ratio of the product resources of brandy and vodka had reached one to ten, respectively, from October to December last year.

Between January and September of the current year, more vodka was imported rather than produced in Armenia.

At the same time, about 34 percent of the production volume was exported.

As a result, the share of local production in the total resources of vodka in Armenia has dropped all the way to 37 percent.