About 15 thousand tons of fish are under threat: Armenian fish farmers demand a meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister

YEREVAN, July 21. /ARKA/. Armenian fish farmers held a protest rally outside the government building in Yerevan on Tuesday, declaring problems with the sale (export) of about 15 thousand tons of live fish.

They are demanding a meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister to present their demands and receive comprehensive answers to determine further actions.

They stated that they did not want to meet again with representatives of the Ministry of Economy, since a meeting with Minister Gevorg Papoyan had already taken place, but the issues raised were not resolved within a month.

“At the meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister, we expect to discuss government support programs. The government has already implemented two programs, which, in our assessment, are unrealistic and will not lead to a positive result for the industry,” said the protesters.

Among the unresolved issues, they named the approval of regulations related to the export of fish to the European Union, as well as the provision of subsidies for exports.

According to protesters, the European market remains inaccessible to Armenian fish farmers.

“It is currently unrealistic to sell the volumes of products available to business entities, in particular about 15 thousand tons of live fish, as well as products stored in refrigerators and returned en route to Russia,” said the participants of the action.

According to them, the export of fish products to Russia has been closed since May 15. Fish farmers noted that they support entering the European market, but maintaining live fish requires constant costs.

The protesters also said that Armenian Minister of Economy Gevorg Papoyan promised to implement a program related to the cost of maintaining fish, but the corresponding project has not yet been presented.

About fish farming support programs

It was previously reported that the volume of government-subsidized supplies of fish products to the European Union will amount to 140 tons per year. The support amount is provided at 820 drams per kilogram of trout and 1350 drams per kilogram of sterlet.

On July 16, the Armenian government approved the procedure for registering companies in the EU trade control and expert support system, terminating registration, as well as issuing veterinary and sanitary certificates for the export of fish and fishery products from Armenia to EU countries.

Armenian Minister of Economy Gevorg Papoyan stated that the country has received official permission from the European Commission to export frozen and processed fish produced in Armenia, as well as other fish products. According to him, five Armenian companies have expressed interest in supplies to the EU market and are awaiting completion of the necessary procedures.

Over 80% of exports of fish and fishery products from Armenia have been sent to Russia for more than 20 years. Since mid-May, supplies of Armenian fish products to the Russian Federation have been suspended.

About assistance to exporters

Against the backdrop of restrictions, the Armenian government has expanded support for exporters in alternative markets, providing for compensation of part of transport costs and customs duties for deliveries to the EU, UK and Canada.

On July 2, the government extended the state export support program until July 2026, including fish, fresh and dried fruits and vegetables, as well as selected food and beverages in the list of subsidized products.