The family of Ruzanna, a resident of the village of Hovtamej in Armavir Province of Armenia, has been growing flowers in their greenhouse and exporting them to Russia for years.

In an interview with Armenian News-NEWS.am, Ruzanna says that due to the restrictions imposed by Russia recently, they have found themselves in a desperate situation. They had taken huge loans to build the greenhouse and cultivate the flowers, but for several months now they have been unable to export the flowers or sell them on Armenia’s domestic market.

"The entire greenhouse is left in bloom. We don't know what to do. Our hope was that everything would be fine with Russia again, the flowers would be exported. But if they didn't go to Russia, they wouldn't be sold at all. I don't think they will cooperate, they will be sold in other countries. We used to send the buds to Russia for 80-100 drams, it was a bargain, and we used to sell the flowers here for 1,000 drams per bouquet. Now it doesn’t even sell for 300 dram! Where can we sell [it]?” said Ruzanna.

She noted that not only are the flowers not exported from Armenia to Russia, but also the fruits and vegetables, which is why they don’t know what to cultivate to get out of the current situation.

“We have taken out loans worth millions [of drams], we don’t know what to do. In our province, no matter whose house we go to, everyone has large greenhouses in their yards, we are all in the same situation, we all have the same problem. We had the hope that the flowers would be sold, it will be our livelihood, and we will pay off the loans, but now neither one nor the other is happening,” said Ruzanna.

Over the past month, Russia has restricted the import of tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and strawberries, as well as banned the import of Jermuk mineral water, some alcoholic beverages, and flowers to the country from Armenia.