Exports of Armenian fish products to Russia hindered by several obstacles
31.07.2012,
21:34
Exports of Armenian fish products to Russia are hindered by several obstacles, Arthur Atoyan, the executive director of the Armenian Association of Fish Farmers, told a news conference today. He said a major problem is dropping prices of fish products at international market, which is bad from the viewpoint of manufacturers, because they are unable to cover the costs.
YEREVAN, July 31. /ARKA/. Exports of Armenian fish products to Russia are hindered by several obstacles, Arthur Atoyan, the executive director of the Armenian Association of Fish Farmers, told a news conference today. He said a major problem is dropping prices of fish products at international market, which is bad from the viewpoint of manufacturers, because they are unable to cover the costs.
According to him, Armenia's main competitors in Russia are Turkey and Norway which sell their products at a lower price.
Atoyan said fish farms in Armenia will ask an interagency working group dealing with relating issues to press for cancellation of customs duties on imported fertilized eggs.
"We pay a 32% customs duty on imported caviar, but we believe that it should be included in the list of goods with zero customs duty," he said, adding that it would significantly cut the cost of Armenian fish products and make them more competitive.
Atoyan said exports to Europe are not possible yet since Armenian fish products do not comply with European standards. He said also 130 member farms of the Association produced eight thousand tons of products in 2011, but did not say how much of it was exported.
According to the Association of Fish Farmers in Armenia, the potential for fish production is 300 thousand tons per year, while the volume of aquaculture areas can make at least $ 1.5-2 billion. Armenia exports mainly live or fresh frozen fish to Russia, Georgia and Ukraine. -0-
