Russia plans to expand exports to Armenia via Azerbaijan – Overchuk

YEREVAN, December 24. /ARKA/. Russia plans to supply Armenia with other goods, including fertilizers, in addition to grain, via the recently opened railway route through Azerbaijan, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk told the Rossiya 24 television channel, as reported by Interfax.

"A very important event recently took place (...) – we had the first train carrying Russian grain pass through the territory of Azerbaijan and Georgia to Armenia. That is, for the first time in more than 30 years, and for the first time since the independent existence of Armenia and Azerbaijan, the first train carrying grain passed. This was Russian grain, then Kazakh grain, and we are also discussing the possibility of loading this line with other types of cargo, including fertilizers," he said.

He noted that Azerbaijan has simultaneously begun its own exports to Armenia, sending a train carrying petroleum products. According to Overchuk, Russia and Armenia are discussing expanding bilateral supplies through Armenian imports: "The discussion is about ensuring reverse shipments from Armenia to Russia through Azerbaijan."

Russia delivered the first batch of grain to Armenia via a new railway route—through Azerbaijan—in early November 2025. According to the Russian Ministry of Agriculture, 1,000 tons of third-class wheat were delivered.

In total, Armenia imports approximately 450,000-500,000 tons of grain per year. Almost all of this comes from Russia. Previously, exports were mainly carried out by road through the land border crossing, and by sea through Georgian ports. The new route (through Azerbaijan and Georgia) reduces transportation costs and improves the stability of supplies, the Russian Ministry of Agriculture noted.

According to the Armstat, trade turnover between Armenia and Russia for the first 10 months of 2025 amounted to $5.72 billion, a decline of 47.8% compared to the first 10 months of 2024. Exports from Armenia to the Russian Federation amounted to $2.38 billion with a decline of 9.2%, and imports to Armenia from Russia as an exporting country amounted to $3.48 billion (a decline of 59%).-0-