Economy Minister Gevorg Papoyan says the main decline in Armenia’s exports is concentrated in the Eurasian Economic Union market.
According to Radar.am, the minister said Armenia exported $943 million worth of goods this year, compared with about $990 million in the same period last year.
Papoyan put the difference at around 5%, saying he does not view that as a poor result given the restrictions imposed on exports of Armenian fruit and vegetables.
He added that some destinations are showing growth. Exports to the UAE, for example, are already up 46% this year, he said.
Papoyan also said export diversification has been fairly active in other areas. To support that process, he said, authorities are offering AMD 4.59 billion in compensation support.
The report notes that Rosselkhoznadzor imposed temporary restrictions from June 2 on imports from Armenia of sour cherries, sweet cherries, apricots, plums, peaches, nectarines and grapes. Restrictions had previously also been introduced on several vegetable crops exported from Armenia.
Russia has also banned imports of Armenian Jermuk mineral water, flowers, fish products and certain alcoholic beverages.
