Russian wheat arrives in Armenia via Azerbaijan – Papoyan
YEREVAN, November 6. /ARКА/. The first shipment of Russian wheat has already arrived in Armenia, Minister of Economy Gevorg Papoyan announced.
"This is Russian wheat, which usually arrives via Upper Lars checkpoint (on Russian-Georgian border) , where queues and transport obstacles are common. This shipment arrived in Azerbaijan by rail (from Russia) and, since Armenia currently has no direct rail connection with Azerbaijan, it traveled to Georgia and from there entered Armenia," he said to the Public Television.
He reported that the purchase of 1,000 tons of Russian wheat was carried out by a private company.
Noting that a shipment of Kazakh wheat will also arrive in Armenia in the next few days through Azerbaijan, the minister emphasized that this is, in fact, a completely new opportunity as direct rail service between China and Armenia has been established.
Papoyan was unable to answer the question of how much the new route would shorten the road, but he did say that it would now be possible to avoid emergency situations in Upper Lars, including queues, landslides, and snowstorms.
"Nevertheless, we will continue to actively use the road through Upper Lars," he said.
The minister also declined to answer the question of how this would affect the prices of bread and baked goods in Armenia.
"Prices are determined by many factors. One factor has changed: transportation costs, and, accordingly, the cost of wheat in Armenia is decreasing, which is very important. Firstly, the security of wheat supplies is being addressed, and secondly, diversification. It is also important that prices are falling," he said, adding that the price of bread depends, among other things, on the Russian ruble exchange rate and the wheat harvest.
On October 21, President of Azerbaijan lifted all restrictions on cargo transit to Armenia through Azerbaijani territory. Yerevan welcomed the Azerbaijani leader's statement, emphasizing its importance for opening regional communications, strengthening mutual trust, and institutionalizing the peace established between Armenia and Azerbaijan.-0-
