Vegetable prices may double in Armenia due to hailstorm

YEREVAN, May 21. /ARKA/. Prices for vegetables and melons may rise by
up to 100% because of the severe hailstorm that pounded several
regions of Armenia last week, chairman of agrarian-peasant union of
Armenia Hrach Berberyan told a press conference Tuesday. The hail
damaged crops in Aragatsotn and Armavir regions in particular.

`I believe the prices for tomatoes, pepper and egg-plants will hike
first of all’, Berberyan said.
Fruit and grapes prices may rise by 20%, he said.

Consequently, exports of Armenian rural products will drop this year,
according to the expert.
The hail-related situation was discussed at a government meeting last Wednesday.

The prime-minister instructed to set up an interagency commission
headed by the vice-premier Armen Gevorgyan to discuss anti-hail
installations and make recommendations to the government. -0–

From: A. Papazian