By Smbat Grigoryan

YEREVAN. – An interesting phenomenon was recorded in Armenia, from January to May, as convenience food exports from the country exceeded imports for first time.  

In reality, however, convenience food also includes alcoholic beverages and tobacco.

From January to May, convenience food imports to Armenia recorded a 25.8-percent growth, on an annual basis, whereas their exports from the country showed a record growth of 38.3 percent.

Alcoholic beverage and tobacco exports, however, exceeded food exports more than ten times. 

From January to May, virtually 84 percent of the alcoholic beverages were exported to other Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries, especially to Russia.

But the picture was quite the opposite in the case of tobacco, as solely 3 percent of tobacco exports from Armenia were made to other CIS member countries.