Armenia’s Ministry of Economy has submitted a support program to the government aimed at helping local businesses export their products to European Union markets, Economy Minister Gevorg Papoyan announced on Tuesday.
According to Papoyan, the initiative comes as Armenia seeks to diversify export destinations following a series of import restrictions imposed by Russia on various Armenian products.
Speaking to journalists, the minister said Armenian agricultural products are well-positioned to enter European markets, as many already meet the bloc’s stringent quality requirements.
“It is very realistic because our export-oriented fruit and vegetable products have GlobalG.A.P. certification, one of the highest international standards. These are the same products that are sold in European supermarkets,” Papoyan said.
He noted that the main challenge is not product quality but transportation costs. As an example, Papoyan said Armenian strawberries are produced using the same technologies and greenhouse methods as those used in Europe, but logistics expenses are significantly higher.
“A French farmer may transport seedlings 200 kilometers and then deliver the harvested strawberries another 200 kilometers for sale, with total logistics costs of around $500. In our case, we may spend $8,000 to bring the seedlings to Armenia and another $8,000 to transport the strawberries to Europe, while also paying customs duties ranging from 8.8% to 14%,” he explained.
To address the issue, the government plans to subsidize transportation costs for agricultural exporters, enabling them to offer competitive prices in European markets.
“We are going to provide substantial support so that our businesses do not suffer losses,” Papoyan said, adding that compensation amounts have already been calculated for various export categories.
According to the minister, the government may allocate up to $5.5 million in subsidies for flower exports through the end of the year, as well as approximately $3.5 million each for tomato and pepper exports.
Papoyan said Armenian exporters would be able to target markets across the European Union, “from Greece to Germany.”
Commenting on Russia’s recent restrictions on Armenian imports, the minister said his deputy had met with Russian counterparts in Astana and described the atmosphere of the talks as positive.
“Everyone wants to find solutions to these issues,” Papoyan said, expressing confidence that the outstanding problems could be resolved quickly after the parliamentary elections scheduled in Armenia for June 7.
Russia’s Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance, Rosselkhoznadzor, announced that temporary restrictions on imports of cherries, sweet cherries, apricots, plums, peaches, nectarines and grapes from Armenia would take effect on June 2, 2026. The agency cited repeated phytosanitary violations and an increase in non-compliance cases involving Armenian shipments.
Earlier, Russia had also restricted imports of Armenian tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and strawberries. Imports of flowers, certain fish products, some alcoholic beverages and Jermuk mineral water from Armenia are currently banned from the Russian market.
