July 27, 2026
Starting from July 27, dairy products exported from Armenia to Russia will be limited. About this on July 24 had reported Federal veterinary and phytosanitary control service, “Rosselkhoznadzor”.
“Rosselkhoznadzor”, based on the results of inspections conducted at the milk processing enterprises of Armenia on July 14-21, 2026, applied to the Food Safety Inspection Authority of the Republic of Armenia, requesting to stop issuing veterinary certificates for supplies to Russian recipients for the products of all dairy enterprises of Armenia from July 27.
Until now, the export of fruits and vegetables and flowers from Armenia to the Russian market was also limited.
What problems can Armenian dairy producers face? Are Armenian dairy products exported to other markets besides the Russian market?
Khachatur Poghosyan, president of “Hay Kat” dairy producers’ union, told 168.am in a conversation with, he said that he cannot give any comments regarding this issue, because many questions are still not clear to him.
“I can’t comment because I don’t know the information completely. It is true that I have read what they wrote, but there are still many dark places for me. Check with the Ministry of Economy what happened. I also have to go to the ministry and find out why this happened. There are questions that I need to find out for myself,” Khachatur Poghosyan briefly mentioned.
Armen Gigoyan, President of the Union of Cheesemakers of Armenia in other words, Armenian cheesemakers, unlike representatives of other sectors, are seasoned and experienced in export issues. What happened was not a surprise for Armenian cheesemakers.
“We knew that it is at least a matter of time to wait for a rogue from a rogue. Since the 2000s, “Rosselkhoznadzor” has always “drank the blood” of Armenian cheese makers, I don’t want to politicize it too much, but we have always been in the role of the victim. Even during the Russo-Georgian war, Armenian cheesemaking suffered such great damage that we can measure it in billions. In short, we already have experience and have come a long way in trade relations with Russia. Since there was that experience, step by step we try and work with alternative markets in a difficult way. Recently, the Union of Cheesemakers has become more active in this matter, there are exports to the United States, a small amount is exported to Arab countries, and so on.” of 168.am said Armen Gigoyan in a conversation with
According to him, there are Armenian cheese makers who until now have kept their focus on working in the Russian market and today they are in an uncomfortable situation. Faced with the fact where these cheese makers are standing now, and the damages they will suffer are quite significant.
“We can only express our regret, but the fact remains that a number of workers in the sector have started work to enter other markets. Do we have good indicators or not, this is already the other side of the question, but the work is being carried out.
We cannot attribute these works to one entity, the state worked in its turn, we – ours. We could expect more work from the state, and the state could expect a lot of work from us, but in any case, good or bad, there was work. The main role of the state was that they supported Armenian manufacturers in exhibitions. And we have found potential customers through personal and various contacts, directed them to exhibitions, etc.,” our interlocutor added.
To the question: are Armenian cheesemakers able to provide a large volume of products for both domestic and foreign markets, Armen Gigoyan first answered that the Union of Cheesemakers was formed not to meet export needs, but to settle issues in the field in general.
“At that moment, export in Armenia is not a priority in the field of cheese making, because we are living in a transition period in terms of raw materials and milk production. This is directly related to local milk processing, that is, we can plan a lot, but if there is a problem with the raw material, it can at least curb the plans.
Now we have a very big deficit in terms of milk production, the transition period is taking longer than we could have planned, but hopefully, this is a matter of time and will be settled in the foreseeable future,” said A. Gigoyan.
At the same time, our interlocutor said that the number of Armenian cheese makers has decreased in the last period, which is due to the regulation of the market. Previously, the number of irregular participants was high, now it is gradually being regulated.
“Of course, there are factors that have ensured an increase in the number in terms of quantity in the last 5-6 years, but all that has very little to do with cheesemaking, they are the cheese producers, who cannot be called cheesemakers. There are people who have succeeded in the field of cheese making, and there are people who have done the opposite, the profitability of any business depends on who is its executor,” emphasized Armen Gigoyan.
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