Armenian Farmers Block Highways as Russian Import Ban Squeezes Produce Exports

Farmers in Armenia's Armavir province blocked a highway this week in protest at collapsing sales of their harvest, as a near-total Russian ban on imports of Armenian agricultural products continues to bite during peak fruit season.

Residents of the villages of Khandjyan and Atsyq demanded government action as unsold produce piles up. "We can wait, but peaches can't!" villagers told the head of the local administration who arrived at the scene, according to regional media reports. Russia had for decades been the main market for Armenian fruit, vegetables, fish and other food products; the restrictions were introduced after Yerevan's public statements about its course toward European integration.

Moscow has now set out its terms for reopening the market. At a meeting between Russian Agriculture Minister Oksana Lut and Armenian Economy Minister Gevorg Papoyan, the Russian side said that "ensuring the safety of agricultural products, including the use of domestic raw materials by Armenian producers, pesticide controls, supply-chain traceability and other mandatory requirements, is a key condition for resuming imports." Lut described compliance with veterinary and phytosanitary standards as Russia's "unconditional priority." Armenian analysts note the restrictions began in the run-up to parliamentary elections, and see political motives behind the technical language.

The dislocation is rippling across the region's produce markets. In Georgia's Kakheti region, farmers in the village of Chumlaki have been dumping unsold peaches, with locals saying imported fruit — including peaches from Armenia diverted from the closed Russian market — is undercutting them. Georgian watermelon exports to Armenia, meanwhile, have collapsed 118-fold this season, according to Georgian media.

Opposition figures warn the damage could be structural. Business does not wait, they argue: Armenian beverages, cheese, fish and agricultural products risk being permanently replaced on Russian shelves by Georgian, Moldovan and Uzbek alternatives if the standoff drags on.

The government is scrambling to open alternative markets. Armenia concluded negotiations with Georgia this year to begin shipments of Armenian fish products, and Yerevan has been courting Arab states on new economic initiatives. But for perishable crops already ripening in Armavir's orchards, diversification timelines measured in quarters offer little comfort in a season measured in days.

Sources: JAMnews

Further Reading

• Armenia Opens Georgian Market to Fish Exports After Russian Ban
• Armenian Metallurgy Output Jumps 33% as Export Routes Reopen