Armenia: Processors Ready To Purchase Storm Damaged Fruit

ARMENIA: PROCESSORS READY TO PURCHASE STORM DAMAGED FRUIT

FreshPlaza, The Netherlands
June 6 2013

Armenian canneries are ready to purchase the entire tree fruit crop
that has suffered extensive storm damage, the Deputy Agriculture
Minister, Robert Makaryan, has announced.

On May 12, hailstorms inflicted significant damage to 17,000
hectares of crop land in Armenia’s Armavir province. Crops in Shirak,
Aragatsotn, Lori, Kotayk and Syunik provinces have also been stricken
by hail.

“Farmers feared that their harvest would remain unsold because of
its bad marketable condition,” Makaryan said. “Nevertheless, we have
already arranged with canneries about this, and they will buy all the
products farmers offer them, particularly fruits, including apricots.”

Makaryan said that canneries had 8,811 contracts with farmers by June
5. Of them, 8,580 have been signed to purchase grapes.

“Grapes will cost 142 dram per one kilogram, on average, this year,
just as a year before,” he added.

Earlier, Makaryan said that canneries were prepared to buy 86,500
tons of fruits and vegetables from farmers in 2013 – 58,000 tons of
vegetables, of which 51,000 are tomatoes, and 28,500 tons of fruits.

On May 23, the Armenian government approved a program of support for
the agricultural industry. Hail-stricken farm owners will enjoy land
tax preferences. They may also receive adjournments in payment of
their bills for irrigation water.