YEREVAN. – Armenia will get an opportunity to export more honey if a modern laboratory opens in the country, head of national beekeepers’ union said.

Rosa Tsarukyan, chairwoman of the Armenian national beekeeping union, commented for Armenian News-NEWS.am on the EU decision allowing imports of Armenian honey.

“I have visited the exhibitions in Europe several times and I can say that our honey is of very good quality. But we need to work with the national service for food safety. I have already discussed the issue with Abraham Bakhchagulyan who is heading the service. The matters concerning the lab will be settled soon,” she said.

If the laboratory gives an expert assessment on the internationally recognized ecological purity of the Armenian honey, its price in EU will increase up to $40 per kilo as compared with current $3-4 per kilo, which is disadvantageous to local beekeepers.

Beekeepingin Armenia has been developing considerably over the past ten years, Mrs. Tsarukyan said, adding that the number of bee colonies has increased from 77,000 in 2002 to 530,000.

“The government notes importance of this direction. Nowadays many intellectuals are engaged in beekeeping,” she emphasized.