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GRAPE OUTPUT THIS YEAR EXPECTED TO BE 10-15% HIGHER FROM LAST YEAR
/ARKA/
SEPTEMBER 23, 2011
YEREVAN
YEREVAN, September 23. / ARKA /. Avag Harutyunyan, chairman of the
Union of Armenian Winemakers, said today the grape output this year
is expected to be 10-15% higher from last year.
According to the data of the ministry of agriculture, last year's
grape output rose to 210,000 metric tons from 185,000 tons in 2009.
Avag Harutyunyan said winegrowers this year had two problems. One was
hails that damaged about 20% of the output and 5% losses were caused
by recent fungal diseases. 'However, since we expect an overall 30-35%
growth, the net growth eventually will amount to 10-15%," he said.
According to Harutyunyan, in 2011 winegrowers have managed to overcome
the consequences of the crisis in 2009 and 2010 and the demand for
grapes has increased significantly after brandy producers said they
would like to produce also wine. He said this is supposed to increase
competition and result in higher quality of final produces.
He said there is demand for Armenian wine abroad, however, local
wineries are still not able to secure large amounts and high quality
due to lack of quality grapes. According to him, virtually all wineries
have bought modern equipment and machinery, which will raise the
quality of products.
"The demand for wine increases, quality improves, and the grapes
will become more expensive, as the grape output grows more slowly
than the demand for wine. Besides, wine producers will now focus on
more expensive and high-quality varieties," he said.
According to the National Statistical Service, in January-July this
year wine production increased by 17.8% to 3.37 million litters.
/ARKA/
SEPTEMBER 23, 2011
YEREVAN
YEREVAN, September 23. / ARKA /. Avag Harutyunyan, chairman of the
Union of Armenian Winemakers, said today the grape output this year
is expected to be 10-15% higher from last year.
According to the data of the ministry of agriculture, last year's
grape output rose to 210,000 metric tons from 185,000 tons in 2009.
Avag Harutyunyan said winegrowers this year had two problems. One was
hails that damaged about 20% of the output and 5% losses were caused
by recent fungal diseases. 'However, since we expect an overall 30-35%
growth, the net growth eventually will amount to 10-15%," he said.
According to Harutyunyan, in 2011 winegrowers have managed to overcome
the consequences of the crisis in 2009 and 2010 and the demand for
grapes has increased significantly after brandy producers said they
would like to produce also wine. He said this is supposed to increase
competition and result in higher quality of final produces.
He said there is demand for Armenian wine abroad, however, local
wineries are still not able to secure large amounts and high quality
due to lack of quality grapes. According to him, virtually all wineries
have bought modern equipment and machinery, which will raise the
quality of products.
"The demand for wine increases, quality improves, and the grapes
will become more expensive, as the grape output grows more slowly
than the demand for wine. Besides, wine producers will now focus on
more expensive and high-quality varieties," he said.
According to the National Statistical Service, in January-July this
year wine production increased by 17.8% to 3.37 million litters.