ArmInfo. When changes are introduced in Russia regarding certification, quality requirements, inspections, the state gives its manufacturers a period of 3 to 6 months to prepare for new regulations, in the case of our manufacturers, the innovations came into force immediately after the warning, which hit our pockets hard. Marina Arakelyan, commercial director of the Van 777 wine and brandy factory (Ararat region), noted during a press conference on October 5.
She noted that today more than 40 large, small and medium-sized producers, produce brandy in Armenia, and in the current situation all of them have losses.. Citing the situation with her products as an example, Arakelyan spoke about the losses received in just a few days. In particular, the entrepreneur spends 80 thousand rubles, for unloading and loading the car for inspection, from 1 to 2 thousand rubles- for parking a car per day, plus a simple car costs $100 per day. "In total, in 10 days we lost $2 thousand. And exporters and manufacturers bear this burden," she said.
In this regard, Marina Arakelyan said that they are now trying to resolve all these issues together with the Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of Finance, so that the latter provide financial support in covering losses. "I think that the state should help us. All manufacturers hope for this," she added.
According to the entrepreneur, there are unscrupulous manufacturers, but this is not on a large scale. However, everyone suffers because of the situation. The vehicles stand there and don't know whether they will pass - everything is in the hands of the certification body of the Russian laboratory. And it takes from 28 to 60 days to receive laboratory test results.
To be fair, Arakelyan noted that Armenian producers received a message from the Federal Service for Alcohol Market Regulation (Rosalkogolregulirovanie) about tightening quality and certification requirements back in March of this year.
The head of the Van enterprise noted that the Armenian brandy in the Rusakana market has been available since 1902. According to her, the Russian side began to squeeze Armenian producers very hard in prices. "It has reached the point that Jermuk (mineral water) is sold at a higher price than Armenian brandy. Therefore, many manufacturers began to look for ways to reduce prices through packaging and internal quality," Arakelyan said.
In connection with the situation, she offered all producers to unite and write a letter to the Russian Regulation with a request to show a loyal attitude towards Armenian producers, give time to correct shortcomings, provide information about the violations identified, about the producers who committed them. "But all the lists are closed, no one knows anything, including the Ministry of Economy," the entrepreneur noted.
Arakelyan also attached importance to internal discussions with the participation of local producers. "We need to get together and discuss a number of important issues, including those related to price, set a lower price limit, and agree not to go below this line. In this case, Russia will no longer be able to dictate and tell us at what price to sell our products. Our partners dictate to manufacturers today. When there was a small number of factories producing Armenian brandy, then the producers were the ones who dictated to the market. And now they dictate because there is an alternative. The replacement will happen very quickly," she noted.
At the same time, the entrepreneur noted that today there are more than 60 Armenian trucks in Upper Lars. In this regard, she complained about the inaction of Vahan Hakobyan, the customs attach‚ of Armenia in Upper Lars.
