July 31, 2026
On June 26, it became known that Russia stopped the supply of fish products from Armenia, thus expanding the restrictions it applies on Armenian products to the Russian market. Almost 10 days after this decision, during the Government session, the Minister of Economy Gevorg Papoyan announced that he received an official permission from the European Commission regarding the export of fish and fish products of Armenian production.
Meanwhile, both before and after this announcement, Armenian fish farmers carried out protests, declaring that they do not have a market to sell their products, very little is sold in the domestic market. As a result of all that, they accumulated many debts and loans. The fish farmers also held a protest in front of the Government building, demanding a meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister, but no one accepted them.
At the beginning of the week, Armen Karapetyan, a member of the Fish Breeders’ Union, told us that they are waiting for the next session of the Government to understand what decision the Government will make regarding them.
Today of 168.am in a conversation with Fish breeders union president Scream Grigoryan said that a plan to support fish farmers was discussed at the last session of the Government. True, it does not completely solve their problem, but to some extent it will soften the situation.
“Yesterday, a support program was discussed at the Government session. We knew that they had to discuss a plan, but we didn’t know what plan, that’s why we were waiting. Of course, we thank you, but that program does not provide a radical solution to our problem. The radical solution of the problem is the sale of the existing product, which must be sold, the solution ways are being sought in different ways today,” said Gor Grigoryan.
To the question: Does the government’s support program satisfy the fish producers, our interlocutor answered that if it does not satisfy, what can they do?
“And if the government didn’t do that, now we have to cooperate in order to implement longer-term projects.
Exporting fish to the EU market is not a plan, but a concrete action, but now we are talking about a support program, that is, long-term subsidized loans, credit holidays, etc.
At the moment, Armenian fish cannot be sold on the EU market,” Gor Grigoryan emphasized.
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