Feed or Bread: Kazakh Wheat Arriving via Azerbaijan Sparks Controversy in Armenia

YEREVAN, November 11. /ARKA/. The topic of wheat imported from Kazakhstan through Azerbaijan is currently a subject of active discussion within Armenian society.

Artur Khachatryan, a member of parliament representing the opposition Armenia faction, disclosed that this wheat is classified as grade 4.

"Grade 4 wheat was imported from Kazakhstan... It is primarily utilized for producing animal feed. Therefore, do not be overly surprised if matnakash (a type of Armenian bread – ed.) does not taste the same tomorrow. High-quality wheat is costly, and when transportation expenses are factored in, the price of bread would rise considerably," he stated on social media.

Armenian Deputy Minister of Economy Edgar Zakaryan, addressing reporters today, answered a query regarding why the public was not informed beforehand that the wheat imported from Kazakhstan via Azerbaijan is of fourth grade and mainly meant for animal feed.

"Did anyone specify what grade it is? It was mentioned that wheat would be arriving," he remarked.

He further noted that the focus was on diversifying import routes.

"Overall, it is beneficial if routes are diversified. Today, animal feed has arrived, and tomorrow, high-quality wheat will come. Only time will reveal the outcome," the deputy minister commented, adding that the wheat sourced from Russia "is already standard wheat."

Zakaryan also addressed the potential for reducing bread prices, indicating that the cost of bread comprises various factors, thus its fluctuation depends on the effects of diversification.

Armenian Economy Minister Gevorg Papoyan stated that Armenia has consistently imported wheat of various grades, including first, second, third, and fourth grades.

"Moreover, fourth-grade wheat has been arriving in Armenia not only at the present time, nor solely during the administrations of Serzh (the third president of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan), Rob (the second president of Armenia, Robert Kocharyan), Levon (the first president of Armenia, Levon Ter-Petrosyan), but also during the tenures of Demirchyan, Zarobyan, Kochinyan (leaders of the Soviet Armenia), and their predecessors. I extend my affection to all of you. This includes those who perceive the bread they consume in the morning as mere animal feed," he expressed on social media.

On the evening of November 5, a train transporting Russian grain arrived at the Ayrum railway station in Armenia, having traversed through Azerbaijan and Georgia. This route is being utilized for the first time since the early 1990s.

On November 7, a train carrying Kazakh wheat reached Armenia, having journeyed through Kazakhstan, Russia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. The train was loaded with approximately 1,000 tons of wheat.

This marked the second shipment of grain imported to Armenia via Azerbaijan since the President of Azerbaijan removed all restrictions on cargo transit to Armenia through his territory on October 21.-0-