This year the average cost of grapes made AMD 115.5, said RA Deputy Minister of Agriculture Samvel Galstyan at the Dec. 8 press conference, adding that last year it was totaling AMD 140.

“The contractual grapes were purchased at AMD 130, whereas non-contractual – at AMD 70 and more,” the official informed outlining that the payments were made for 95%.

According to him, this year Pernod Ricard company purchased 32.000 t., “Noy” company – 20.000 t., and MAP – 8.000 tones of grapes.

“This year export rate is also higher, having 13.750 t. apricots exported against 7.517 t. last year. In addition, 3.400 t. of grapes were exported compared to 3.014 t. in 2008. All export figures exceed last year’s ones, except for plum, as this spring the harvest got frozen,” Galstyan maintained.

Most farmers have placed freezers for fruits’ preservation and further export or sale at a high price. Besides, large part of the chilled fruits is exported to Russia enabling the growers to make handsome profit, Deputy Minister concluded.

S.T.