ArmInfo. Armenia will supply 1 million bottles of pomegranate wine to China. The memorandum of supply was concluded on the eve of the executive director of the Fund for the Development of Viticulture and Wine of Armenia Zaruhi Muradyan and the Secretary General of the Commission of the organizer of the International Association of China Yong en Shun.
According to the Fund, the Chinese market for Armenian winemakers has always been interesting and targeted, and the signed memorandum opens up new opportunities for the growth of production and exports. "Armenian winemaking was first introduced to the Chinese market in 2017, when winemakers of the country presented their products at the international exhibition ProWine China 2017, as a result of which several export agreements were signed. Now we are entering the Chinese market with our own fruit, pomegranate wines, which in the near future will allow Chinese consumers to present the entire range of Armenian products, "said Zaruhi Muradyan, head of the Viticulture and Wine Union of the Republic of Armenia.
The Chinese delegation was invited to Armenia, accompanied by it and took part in the signing ceremony of the memorandum, RA Ambassador to the People's Republic of China Hrant Abajyan.
The Chinese side also stressed the importance of the signed document, noting that the memorandum is only the beginning for further full-scale cooperation. "We are ready to assist Armenian producers in raising awareness and representation of Armenian wine in the Chinese market. With this memorandum we want to lay the foundation for the supply to China of 1 million bottles of pomegranate wine, but this is only the beginning. I am sure that cooperation will be expanded and this memorandum also will provide an opportunity to further increase both the volume of deliveries of Armenian wines to China, and their assortment, "said Yong an Shun.
According to the data of the National Statistical Committee of Armenia, in 2017 brandy production in Armenia increased by 39.4% compared with 2016. During the reporting period, 30 million liters of cognac were produced against 21.5 million in 2016. Wine production also increased by 30%, champagne by 10% and beer by 21%, in 2017, 8.8 million liters were produced, 20.4 million liters and 863.800 liters, respectively. Vodka production decreased by about 12%, liquor - by 40%, and whiskey - by 28%.