The import of Turkish and Azerbaijani goods into Armenia is gaining momentum. Until recently, official statistics recorded only trade with Turkey, but now Azerbaijan has also been added. However, the trade relations of Armenia with both Turkey and Azerbaijan are one-sided. These relations are based solely on the import of Turkish and Azerbaijani goods.
While Armenian authorities are excited about contacts and efforts to trade with Turkey and Azerbaijan, there continue to be no exports from Armenia to these countries.
Exports from Armenia to Turkey are at nearly zero levels. According to official data, only $330,000 worth of goods were sent to that country in the first five months of this year. This is even difficult to consider as export, although compared to the same period last year, exports have even doubled.
There has been no export to Azerbaijan at all. Instead, Azerbaijan is gradually increasing its presence in Armenia's imports. This process began at the end of last year. In December of last year, a small amount of oil products worth about $1 million was exported from Azerbaijan to Armenia. At that time, this caused serious dissatisfaction among consumers. Many refused to consume Azerbaijani oil products. However, over time, this noise subsided, and now exports-imports from Azerbaijan to Armenia have become a common phenomenon.
In the first five months of this year, imports from Azerbaijan to Armenia reached $12.2 million. In January, imports amounted to $2.675 million, in March - $3.669 million, in April - $4.127 million, and in May - $1.742 million of Azerbaijani goods.
In contrast to Azerbaijani imports, Armenian goods have not reached the Azerbaijani market, despite Armenian authorities' statements that they exchanged lists of goods.
In fact, Armenian-Azerbaijani trade, which inspired the Armenian leadership so much, is predominantly one-sided. The entry of Armenian goods into the Azerbaijani market remains closed, while the import of Azerbaijani goods, particularly oil products, into Armenia is gradually gaining momentum.
The same is happening with Turkish goods. Despite the fact that, unlike Azerbaijan, Turkey has always had a significant presence in Armenia's imports in recent years, Turkish goods worth $300-350 million come to Armenia annually. This year, the flow of Turkish goods has increased significantly.
Recently, of course, Turkish authorities, before the parliamentary elections, made a symbolic step in trade relations and "generously" included Armenia in the list of countries importing Turkish goods.
This year, the export of Turkish goods to Armenia has increased by $57 million or 44 percent. At this pace, by the end of the year, it could reach up to $500 million.
