In 2023, hardly a kilogram of potatoes was exported from Armenia. Former Minister of Agriculture, Ashot Arutyunyan, disclosed this during a press conference on April 16. He attributed this to documentation issues and customs clearance problems, similar to when Armenian importers couldn't bring mandarins from Georgia. Additionally, Arutyunyan cited regular delays at the Upper Lars checkpoint, causing trucks to idle for over 20 days, leading exporters to refrain from shipping produce due to ensuing costs.
Meanwhile, Russia boasted a good potato harvest, and with the devaluation of the ruble against the dram, Armenia imported around 3400 tons of Russian potatoes from January 1 to April 1, 2023. Arutyunyan noted challenges faced by farmers in selling their produce and the high costs of land cultivation for potatoes. He criticized the lack of state support mechanisms for potato growers, emphasizing the need for broader agricultural insurance coverage.
Recently, farmers in Gegharkunik province struggled to sell their potato harvest. Independent Deputy Tagui Tovmasyan raised the issue, prompting discussions between relevant ministries and local authorities. The Ministry of Economy highlighted ongoing discussions with agricultural exporters to address the 2023 harvest's marketing challenges, suggesting exploring alternative export markets due to unprofitable Russian market conditions. Additionally, the influx of relatively cheap Iranian potatoes further complicates Armenia's potato industry landscape. Despite a bumper potato crop in 2023, export figures plummeted while imports surged, presenting a concerning trend for Armenia's agricultural sector.
source: finport.am