Armenian government will expand subsidies for the export of apricots, cherries, wine, and brandy
11.06.2026,
12:58
The Armenian government intends to approve a second package of measures to stimulate the export of agricultural products and beverages.
YEREVAN, June 11. /ARKA/. The Armenian government intends to approve a second package of measures to stimulate the export of agricultural products and beverages. Deputy Minister of Economy Arman Khojoyan presented the draft compensation package for exporters of apricots, plums, cherries, mineral water, wine, and brandy at a government meeting.
According to him, the program is aimed at diversifying export markets and supporting the sustainable operations of exporting companies.
According to the draft, the following compensation amounts are proposed for products exported from June 1, 2026:
200 drams per 1 kg of apricots;
250 drams per 1 kg of plums, peaches, and nectarines;
400 drams per 1 kg of cherries;
350 drams per liter of bottled grape wine;
830 drams per liter of bottled brandy;
150 drams per liter of mineral water.
To receive compensation, exporters must contact the Ministry of Economy, submitting sales declarations or copies of export declarations and payment documents.
Khojoyan reported that since June 1, approximately 257,000 kg of cherries and 64,900 kg of apricots have already been exported abroad, and exporting companies will be eligible for compensation.
He also noted that since the beginning of June, 961,000 flowers have been exported abroad – to the United Arab Emirates, Romania, Bulgaria, Latvia, Cyprus, the Netherlands, and several other countries.
"Long-term cooperation with foreign partners is being established, including with a Dutch marketplace," the deputy minister said.
The government also intends to stimulate grape purchases in 2026 by supporting the export of unbottled grape spirit.
According to Khojoyan, exporters who ship more than 1,000 liters of such product abroad pay a duty of 100 drams for each additional liter. It is proposed to compensate this amount for the period from June 1, 2026, to June 1, 2027.
Companies will be eligible for the program provided that the volume of spirit exported is at least twice the volume of purchased raw materials. According to calculations, approximately 11 kg of grapes are required to produce one liter of spirit.
During the discussion, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan instructed that the situation be promptly monitored to ensure that export incentives do not lead to a shortage of products on the domestic market and an unjustified price increase.
During the discussion, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan inquired whether the stimulus measures would lead to a shortage of produce on the domestic market.
"Are you sure we won't have to reimport these products? Then we might find ourselves without apricots left. So that people don't call their relatives in Paris and ask for apricots," Pashinyan said.
He noted the need for prompt monitoring of the situation, as an unjustified price increase is possible. "We mustn't forget about tourists, as well as the large volumes of election bribes, which will increase, and have already increased, sales," the prime minister added.
Pashinyan also emphasized the importance of creating logistics centers for the organized export of agricultural products.
"We must encourage the creation of logistics centers so that, for example, tomato producers can export their produce in an organized manner. This is necessary to ensure the volumes that are of interest to large retail chains," Pashinyan said.
Khojoyan noted that supply volumes largely depend on seasonality, adding that this year's apricot harvest will begin later than usual.
Earlier, on June 4, the Armenian government approved a program to support the export of greenhouse products—tomatoes, peppers, strawberries, and flowers.
At a meeting on June 4, the Armenian government approved a program to support the export of greenhouse products—tomatoes, peppers, strawberries, and flowers. ($1 = 368.44 drams).
According to him, the program is aimed at diversifying export markets and supporting the sustainable operations of exporting companies.
According to the draft, the following compensation amounts are proposed for products exported from June 1, 2026:
200 drams per 1 kg of apricots;
250 drams per 1 kg of plums, peaches, and nectarines;
400 drams per 1 kg of cherries;
350 drams per liter of bottled grape wine;
830 drams per liter of bottled brandy;
150 drams per liter of mineral water.
To receive compensation, exporters must contact the Ministry of Economy, submitting sales declarations or copies of export declarations and payment documents.
Khojoyan reported that since June 1, approximately 257,000 kg of cherries and 64,900 kg of apricots have already been exported abroad, and exporting companies will be eligible for compensation.
He also noted that since the beginning of June, 961,000 flowers have been exported abroad – to the United Arab Emirates, Romania, Bulgaria, Latvia, Cyprus, the Netherlands, and several other countries.
"Long-term cooperation with foreign partners is being established, including with a Dutch marketplace," the deputy minister said.
The government also intends to stimulate grape purchases in 2026 by supporting the export of unbottled grape spirit.
According to Khojoyan, exporters who ship more than 1,000 liters of such product abroad pay a duty of 100 drams for each additional liter. It is proposed to compensate this amount for the period from June 1, 2026, to June 1, 2027.
Companies will be eligible for the program provided that the volume of spirit exported is at least twice the volume of purchased raw materials. According to calculations, approximately 11 kg of grapes are required to produce one liter of spirit.
During the discussion, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan instructed that the situation be promptly monitored to ensure that export incentives do not lead to a shortage of products on the domestic market and an unjustified price increase.
During the discussion, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan inquired whether the stimulus measures would lead to a shortage of produce on the domestic market.
"Are you sure we won't have to reimport these products? Then we might find ourselves without apricots left. So that people don't call their relatives in Paris and ask for apricots," Pashinyan said.
He noted the need for prompt monitoring of the situation, as an unjustified price increase is possible. "We mustn't forget about tourists, as well as the large volumes of election bribes, which will increase, and have already increased, sales," the prime minister added.
Pashinyan also emphasized the importance of creating logistics centers for the organized export of agricultural products.
"We must encourage the creation of logistics centers so that, for example, tomato producers can export their produce in an organized manner. This is necessary to ensure the volumes that are of interest to large retail chains," Pashinyan said.
Khojoyan noted that supply volumes largely depend on seasonality, adding that this year's apricot harvest will begin later than usual.
Earlier, on June 4, the Armenian government approved a program to support the export of greenhouse products—tomatoes, peppers, strawberries, and flowers.
At a meeting on June 4, the Armenian government approved a program to support the export of greenhouse products—tomatoes, peppers, strawberries, and flowers. ($1 = 368.44 drams).
