By Samvel Avagyan

At NEWS.am’s request Rubik Harutyunyan, Director of the Dustr Melanya cheese-making plant in Tashir, commented on the present situation in the cheese market.

According to him, the rise in cheese prices is the result of a number of factors. Besides the rise in the milk prices, a rise in the gas price from April 1, 2010, played a role. The rise in gas prices caused a rise in transportation prices. Prices for raw materials have gradually been rising since April, which has resulted in higher production costs. Under the circumstances, cheese-making plants are unable to keep prices stable.

Harutyunyan also pointed out seasonal prices for milk. It is normally lower in spring and summer, and higher in autumn and winter. This year’s price rise, however, has more serious causes. The drought caused a 30% decrease in milk yield, which, on turn, caused milk purchase problems. The present milk price is 150-180 AMD per liter against the previous 80-90 AMD. Harutyunyan believes milk price should be high, otherwise some farms are already going bankrupt.

Harutyunyan said that farmers cannot even afford hired workers, but do not get profits. “If farmers do not work, how are we going to restore the country?” he asked.

According to cheese-makers, the best release price for cheese is 2,000 AMD per kilo. Otherwise, the production of high-quality cheese is out of the question. If farms get stronger they will be able to sell milk at lower prices, which, in turn, will allow cheese-makers to lower cheese prices. Otherwise, given the current prices, two liters of milk are not even worth one kilo of apple or ten liters of milk are worth as much as one kilo of buckwheat.

Cheese is one of the highest-calorie products and must be on the menu, Harutyunyan said.