ArmInfo. The government has done nothing over the last two years to upgrade Armenia`s fishing industry, says Armen Buniatyan, Chairman of the Union of Fish- Breeders of Armenia.
"We are solving our problems and developing our farms by ourselves," he added. Russia`s share in Armenia`s exports of fish and fish products is 70%. In this context, Mr Buniatyan highlighted the importance of friendly relations with Russia.
"We are lost if Russia suspends imports of our fish products even for ten days," he added. In the context of diversification of export markets, Mr Buniatyan said that it is the government rather than producers that is supposed to think of it. Armenia`s government has not so far got a Eurocode for Armenia to export its fish products to Europe.
"No one is dealing with the issue nor are they interested. But businessmen are unable to do it by themselves," he complained.
Mr Buniatyan pointed out a need for an agreement on trade in terms of U.S. dollars and Euros with Russia as RUB depreciation has negative impact on producers. Cash trade the only way out of the situation. A total of 116 fish farms are currently working in Armenia against 330 in 2008.
According to the RA Statistical Committee, the Armenia`s fish industry reported AMD 28bln worth output in January-September, 2021 - up by 3.3% as compared with the corresponding period last year. The catch totaled 13,300 tons - up by 3.3%.
According to the RA Customs Service, in the first half of 2021 Armenia`s exports of fresh fish totaled 211.3 tons - a 2.8-fold increase as compared with last year. The customs value reached $976,300 (a 2.9% increase). The exports of frozen fish totaled 537.5 tons - a 10-fold increase, with the customs value reaching $2.1mln (a 6.2-fold increase). The exports of refrigerated fish totaled 3,900 tons (a 22.7/5 increase), with the customs value reaching $22.3mln (a 27.5% increase).
