Anna Beklyarova on situation with exporters: This problem is as old  as time

ArmInfo. For many years we have not had any geographic diversification of exports; accordingly,  we are completely dependent on the Russian market. Export Armenia Association co-founder Anna Beklyarova noted this during a press conference on October 5. "This problem is as old as time, which aggravates our situation," she emphasized.

Today, 95% of Armenian brandy exports go to the Russian market;  according to her, this share needs to be reduced to at least 60%.

Commenting on the situation related to the idleness of Armenian  trucks with brandy in Upper Lars, the expert did not share the  opinion of the Ministry of Economy that there is no political context  here. "On behalf of the Association, we are not competent to comment  on the policy as such as a whole. But we are able to see certain  risks. And I have been hearing these alarms for several years since  my work in Armenia. But for some reason we are not making any  conceptual system decisions in the field of exports. Particularly in  the area of diversification.  I'm not talking specifically about  brandy now, but in general," said Beklyarova.

Regarding the Russian market, in connection with the situation, she  pointed out certain risks.  "If something happens, some kind of  unrest, then they immediately find something bad in our tomatoes,  etc.. This is an absolutely understandable and predictable mechanism  that we have gone through 100 times," noted the co-founder of the  Association. However, the question is how to get out of this  situation globally, and not make situational decisions that will  allow you to stay afloat for some time. In this regard, she pointed  out the importance of studying the Georgian experience.

Beklyarova associated many of the problems of Armenian exporters with  mentality, which is reflected in personnel policy and many other  aspects. According to the expert, today manufacturers need to act  together, come to a single vector of policy, including pricing, in  order to be able to withstand the challenges that we face.

"I'll say banal things, but the government must work with  manufacturers and develop crisis management. Now is the time for them  to come out. Where are they? This is a rhetorical question. I see the  problem very globally, in everything. T That's why now we have to  knock on all the doors, if they don't open the doors, knock on the  windows. Otherwise, the forecasts are not very comforting, since we  must not forget about the political situation and geopolitical  changes and vectors of our country," she added.  For several months  now, trucks from Armenian brandy producers have been idle at the  Upper Lars checkpoint. According to expert, head of the Union of  Winemakers Avag Harutyunyan, this is due to the tightening of  requirements for the quality of alcoholic products sent to the  Russian market, as well as the fact that Armenia is becoming an  unfriendly country for Russia.

Referring to available information, Harutyunyan said that the Russian  side will soon apply similar regulations to Armenian wine. He noted  that Armenia is diversifying its wine export markets every year,  reducing the share of the Russian market, but producers first of all  need to think about improving the quality of their products.

It should be noted that in 2018-2022, brandy  exports from Armenia  increased by 85% - from 29.3 million liters to 54.2 million liters.  About 80% is supplied to the Russian market.