Grape production in Armenia to be down 10 percent
01.09.2017,
16:15
This year Armenia’s grape production is expected to be 10% less than in 2016, agriculture minister Ignaty Arakelyan said today citing the findings of a study made by experts.
YEREVAN, September 1. /ARKA/. This year Armenia’s grape production is expected to be 10% less than in 2016, agriculture minister Ignaty Arakelyan said today citing the findings of a study made by experts.
Speaking at a meeting attended by prime minister Karen Karapetyan and representatives of wine and brandy producing companies, the minister blamed the anticipated output drop on the cold winter and the impossibility of carrying out all the necessary seasonal work.
According to the minister, in 2016 wineries purchased about 110 thousand tons of grapes, while this year the purchases will grow to about 141 thousand tons. Arakelyan urged the processing companies to conclude contracts with the winegrowers in order to avoid problems in the future. He said also that export of brandy this year has already grown by 30%.
In his turn, Prime Minister Karapetyan said the government has raised the threshold of provided loans by setting them in the amount of 3-10 million drams. He added that interest rates for beneficiaries from poor communities are set at 3%, and at 5% for representatives of other communities.
According to him, the government provides loans to purchasers in the amount of up to 150 million drams at a 3% rate.
"The price of natural gas for processing companies has been reduced by 40%; I know few governments that render such financial and other assistance to the agricultural sector. We are implementing these programs because we are sure that Armenia has a great future," Karapetyan said. -0-
Speaking at a meeting attended by prime minister Karen Karapetyan and representatives of wine and brandy producing companies, the minister blamed the anticipated output drop on the cold winter and the impossibility of carrying out all the necessary seasonal work.
According to the minister, in 2016 wineries purchased about 110 thousand tons of grapes, while this year the purchases will grow to about 141 thousand tons. Arakelyan urged the processing companies to conclude contracts with the winegrowers in order to avoid problems in the future. He said also that export of brandy this year has already grown by 30%.
In his turn, Prime Minister Karapetyan said the government has raised the threshold of provided loans by setting them in the amount of 3-10 million drams. He added that interest rates for beneficiaries from poor communities are set at 3%, and at 5% for representatives of other communities.
According to him, the government provides loans to purchasers in the amount of up to 150 million drams at a 3% rate.
"The price of natural gas for processing companies has been reduced by 40%; I know few governments that render such financial and other assistance to the agricultural sector. We are implementing these programs because we are sure that Armenia has a great future," Karapetyan said. -0-
