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FROSTBITTEN FRUIT: APRICOT PRICES TO GO UP AS ARMENIA EXPECTS LOWER HARVEST THIS YEAR
Siranuysh Gevorgyan
ArmeniaNow reporter
02.06.10
Minister Alaverdyan promises that in 10-15 days prices will fall as
local rather than imported produce appears in the market.
This year the apricot harvest will fall by 30-40 percent in Armenia
as compared to previous years due to frosty weather conditions early
this year; and that is why apricot prices will be higher as compared
with last year, according to the agriculture minister.
At the press conference on Wednesday, Gerasim Alaverdyan said the main
part of the apricot harvest comes from the Ararat province in Armenia,
which has about 3,071 hectares of apricot orchards. Early this year,
according to gardeners, many apricot orchards were frostbitten. In
2009 apricot harvest was 80-82,000 tons, of which 13,500 tons were
exported -- mainly to Russia and Belgium.
According to the minister, this year, grapes harvest, unlike apricots,
will be very rich, especially the so-called technical sorts, which
are mainly used in wine-making.
Alaverdyan said there is no sharp hike in vegetable prices, nor is
expected one.
"The market determines prices, however, in 10-15 days prices will
fall as soon as our local vegetables will appear in the market to
supplant greenhouse-grown and imported vegetables," said Alaverdyan.
The minister also stated that fungus disease recently spread among
plants, as well as rodents may affect the crop yield. The Ministry of
Agriculture had allotted 300 million drams ($800,000) to combat them.
Last year Armenia had 375,000 tons of wheat, but Armenia's general
consumption is about 650,000 tons, and about 300,000 tons were imported
last year. Alaverdyan believes that this year as well an equal amount
will be imported, even though the crop yield will be a little bit
more as compared with last year due to the expansion of lands used
for growing wheat.
From: A. Papazian
Siranuysh Gevorgyan
ArmeniaNow reporter
02.06.10
Minister Alaverdyan promises that in 10-15 days prices will fall as
local rather than imported produce appears in the market.
This year the apricot harvest will fall by 30-40 percent in Armenia
as compared to previous years due to frosty weather conditions early
this year; and that is why apricot prices will be higher as compared
with last year, according to the agriculture minister.
At the press conference on Wednesday, Gerasim Alaverdyan said the main
part of the apricot harvest comes from the Ararat province in Armenia,
which has about 3,071 hectares of apricot orchards. Early this year,
according to gardeners, many apricot orchards were frostbitten. In
2009 apricot harvest was 80-82,000 tons, of which 13,500 tons were
exported -- mainly to Russia and Belgium.
According to the minister, this year, grapes harvest, unlike apricots,
will be very rich, especially the so-called technical sorts, which
are mainly used in wine-making.
Alaverdyan said there is no sharp hike in vegetable prices, nor is
expected one.
"The market determines prices, however, in 10-15 days prices will
fall as soon as our local vegetables will appear in the market to
supplant greenhouse-grown and imported vegetables," said Alaverdyan.
The minister also stated that fungus disease recently spread among
plants, as well as rodents may affect the crop yield. The Ministry of
Agriculture had allotted 300 million drams ($800,000) to combat them.
Last year Armenia had 375,000 tons of wheat, but Armenia's general
consumption is about 650,000 tons, and about 300,000 tons were imported
last year. Alaverdyan believes that this year as well an equal amount
will be imported, even though the crop yield will be a little bit
more as compared with last year due to the expansion of lands used
for growing wheat.
From: A. Papazian