YEREVAN. – A total of 68 to 70 thousand tons of fruits and vegetables—10 thousand tons of which, grapes—were exported from Armenia to Russia in the current year.

Head of the Union of Domestic Goods Producers of Armenia, economist Vazgen Safaryan, noted the above-said at a press conference on Monday.

In his words, even though the agricultural year was unprecedentedly successful in the country, farmers were unable to sell their entire crop, and this has caused a rightful discontent.    

“Armenia can export up to 150 thousand tons of agricultural products [per year],” Safaryan stressed. “Considering these criteria, I believe the time has come to develop a new economic policy.”

The expert welcomed the Armenian government’s decision on tax exemption for the border communities. 

“But we shouldn’t forget that Armenia’s external debt is gradually increasing,” Vazgen Safaryan added. “And appropriate steps should be taken in this connection.”