YEREVAN. – Grape purchasing price will be go up by 20 percent this year compared to 2011, chairman of the Union of wine makers Avag Harutyunyan told journalists on Friday.

Yerevan brandy factory purchased grape for AMD 130 ($0,30) for 1 kg during the last two years, while other companies purchased it for AMD 100 - AMD 120.

Harutyunyan believes that Areni grape breed will be purchased for AMD 150-170 ($0,50). The reason for high price is the competition between wine and brandy makers as well as inner market consumption increase. Besides, crisis forced brandy makers to diversify their activity and produce wine as well.