Deputy Agriculture Minister of Armenia: Russia`s removal of anti-Turkish embargo will have no serious effect on agrarian sector of Armenia

ArmInfo. Since the day of introduction of the anti-Turkish embargo on the import of food from Turkey to Russia, the Armenian Ministry of Agriculture has urged the  Armenian producers to focus on elaboration of long-term programs with due regard for the opportunities provided by the regional and international integration systems, Armen Harutyunyan, Armenian Deputy Minister of Agriculture, has told ArmInfo when commenting on the consequences of possible lifting of the Russian embargo from the import of fruit and vegetables from Turkey following Turkish President Erdogan's apologies.            

He says the Armenian producers should realize the need to build business aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of the products. "We are unaware of the possibility or the dates of removal of the sanctions. At the same time, we keep insisting that it is necessary to build a model of competitiveness," he says.      

The deputy minister says he is unaware whether the Armenian producers invested in production capacities amid the Russian embargo on the Turkish food products. He says investments are made a priori - in greenhouse facilities, intensive gardening, fish production, etc.  "I think the use of temporary restrictions or their removal will have no serious effect on the agrarian sector of Armenia," he says.  

Harutyunyan notes that efforts are being taken towards diversification of markets, as well as regional and international integration given the geography of export of Armenian products and EEU capacities, as well as the GSP+ system. The Middle East can also become a sales market for the Armenian products. The exports to Iraq 
have recently grown. Iran also has a real potential for growth of exports, he said, adding that the state supports the producers. 

To recall, Russia banned import of Turkish food in accordance with the 28 Nov 2015 decree of Russian President Vladimir Putin.