Pashinyan: In Russia there are problems with filling the market, and  they hope that we will support them in this matter

ArmInfo. "During the visit to Russia, the issue of export was discussed, and they even expect that our exports will grow," Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said during the meeting.  He held a meeting on June 18 with the participation of heads of relevant departments, during which issues related to milk procurement, fruit and vegetable export, and the organization of the irrigation process were discussed.

In particular, as the press service of the government reports,  Agriculture Minister Artur Khachatryan, touching on the problem of  milk procurement, presented possible causes that affect the formation  of the price of milk.

Prime Minister Pashinyan stressed that it is necessary to take  consistent steps to maintain the standards of dairy products, and to  raise awareness of citizens. Nikol Pashinyan instructed  representatives of relevant departments to form a working group that  will consider in detail the existing problems and submit proposals on  their solution, taking into account the importance of protecting the  interests of farms. As for export of fruit and vegetable products,  the premier was informed that the process is currently being  organized at the proper level. In particular, it was reported that as  of June 15, 37,446 tons of fruit and vegetables were exported from  the republic, compared to 28,651 tons for the same period last year.  In 2018, 14,652 tons of apricots were exported, instead of 26 tons in  the same period in 2017, as well as 2,377 tons of cherries, compared  to 420 tons last year. Responsible spheres stated that export markets  also expanded.  In particular, exports are organized not only to  Russia, but also to Belarus, Kazakhstan, Georgia, the United Arab  Emirates, the United States and other countries. Prime Minister  Pashinyan noted the importance of continued growth in export volumes  and instructed officials to keep all possible problems in daily  focus, to be in direct contact with foreign partners to prevent  various problems.

As the prime minister pointed out, during the visit to Russia the  issue of export was discussed, and they even expect that the volumes  of Armenian exports will grow. "Our partners in Russia have problems  with filling the market, and they hope that we will support them on  this issue," Pashinyan said, stressing the importance of ensuring  compliance with sanitary regulations for exported products.

In connection with the organization of the irrigation process, it was  reported that the process is proceeding at the proper level, which is  also facilitated by favorable weather conditions. The Prime Minister  also stressed the need to organize daily coordinated work on this  issue.

On June 14, dozens of farmers gathered near the government building  of Armenia, protesting against low procurement prices for milk. If in  the winter period prices kept at a level in the range of 180 - 230  drams per liter, today they reached 110 drams 150-140 drams.  Meanwhile, the harvester, they said, sells it 450 drams per liter.  Meanwhile, as they told the ArmInfo correspondent, in order to "not  sink" and somehow "stay afloat", the purchase price for milk today  should not be less than 160 drams. Otherwise, they threatened with  the delivery of milk to Yerevan with cisterns and free distribution  to its residents as a charity gesture. Yesterday, having gathered  once again at the government building, they demanded to set a fixed  price for milk, regardless of the season.

According to expert estimates, Armenia's self-sufficiency in milk is  93%, and the average milk consumption is 257.7 kg per person per  year. The structure of production is dominated by small farms.