Wednesday, December 16 2015 18:17

ArmInfo. According to the Union of Armenian Winemakers 2015 was unfavorable both for exporters of brandy and for winegrowers, Chairman of the Union Avag Harutyunyan told journalists.

According to Harutyunyan, the export of brandy declined by 10-15%, at the same time the field registered to up to 30% losses, the expert noted. "Amid Russian ruble depreciation, price of Armenian brandy was increased maximum by 10% in order to retain its positions on the market. However, in case of further increase of price, Armenian brandy will become non competitive", Harutyunyan announced.

Armenian winegrowers are in the same situation, as one third of them suffered losses. "In case grape was sold for 110-120 AMD for one kg, a farmer would be able to get profit in amount of 20 AMD. But they not only couldn't sell the yield but lost around 1000 tons", Avag Harutyunyan noted.

According to the expert, still last year it was clear that the crisis in Russian economy will last and will have impact on Armenian exporters. Subsidizing of the field by the Armenia's Government as well as providing processing plants and exporters with tax benefits, could be a "life tube", he noted. Meanwhile, as the expert announced everything was left to its own fate. "As a result agricultural year of 2015 we finish with losses and in 2016 foresee a deeper crisis, as the farmers are not interested in gathering yield and the processing plants in purchasing it", the expert summarized.