ArmInfo. In the first quarter of 2020, the Armenian trade sector slowed down y-o-y growth from 10.1% (for the same period of 2019) to 0.2% this year, amounting to 657.5 billion AMD ($ 1.4 billion). The dynamics was due to the wholesale turn from growth to decline and a slowdown in retail trade. This is evidenced by the data of the RA Statistical Committee.
In particular, wholesale for the reporting period reduced volumes by 0.8% per annum - to 319.6 billion AMD ($ 662.7 million), against a growth of 14.9% in the first quarter of 2019.
Retail trade reduced y-o-y growth rates to 0.6% from 7.8% in the same period of 2019 to 315.8 billion drams ($ 654.8 million). In the structure of retail trade, the largest turnover is provided by shops (including supermarkets) - 249.5 billion drams or 79% (with a y-o-y growth of 1.8%), other retail facilities - 42 billion drams or 13.3% (with y-o-y decline of 5.7%), followed by consumer goods markets with a margin of 14.8 billion or 4.7% (with a y-o-y decline of 8.9%), stalls and kiosks - 7.2 billion or 2.3% ( with y-o-y growth of 0.5%) and agricultural markets - 2.2 billion or 0.7% (with a y-o-y decline of 18%).
The volume of car purchase / sale in the I quarter of 2020 increased by 9.1% per annum - up to 22 billion drams ($ 45.7 million), against a decline of 16.8% a year earlier.
In the structure of the total trade turnover of Armenia, the lion's share (48.6%) is accounted for by wholesale trade, 48% - by retail, and 3.4% - by purchase / sale of automobiles.
However, in March 2020 alone, the trade turnover in Armenia decreased by 3.5% to 222 billion drams ($ 454 million). In particular, the wholesale trade turnover decreased by 2.6% to 116.2 billion drams, retail trade - by 3.7% to 104.9 billion drams. Monthly revenue from car purchase / sale decreased by 23.3% - to 5.5 billion drams.
It should be noted that in Armenia, as part of measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, a state of emergency was introduced from March 16, which will last until May 14 inclusive. In this regard, some activities in the first month of emergency were imposed a temporary ban, which was partially lifted in the second half of April. Since May 4, the list of permitted types of economic activity has been further expanded to ensure the vital functions of the economy. However, there are still catering facilities and services whose activities are temporarily suspended, the work of the mall and public transport is also prohibited, the activity of international air, rail and bus services is limited.
The average calculated exchange rate of AMD to the US dollar in March 2019 was 489.01 AMD/$ 1, and in January-March - 482.32 AMD/$ 1, against 487.48 AMD/$ 1- in March 2019 and 487, 23 AMD/$ 1 - in January-March 2019.
