What is Happening in the Butter Commodity Market: "Hayastani Hanrapetutyun"

In 2018, 3,986 tons of butter were imported into Armenia by 41 economic entities ("Alex Holding" and "Alex and Holding" LLCs were considered as one entity). From January to October 2019, 36 economic entities imported 2,727 tons of butter into Armenia. During the same period in 2019, 9% less butter was imported compared to 2018, with a reduction of around 5% in average customs value per kilogram.

In 2018, the combined share of three companies with the largest specific weight accounted for 68% of the butter import structure. The total share of these three companies remained the same at 66% during the period from January to October in both 2018 and 2019.

It is noteworthy that according to the decision of the Eurasian Economic Commission Council, the technical regulation established in 2013 regarding “Milk and Dairy Product Safety” defines “cream butter” as butter made from cow's milk, with the fat mass percentage being at least 50%. The same technical regulation defines “creamer vegetable spread” as a dairy-containing product with an emulsified fat base and a total fat mass percentage of 39-95%, where the dairy fat mass portion in the fat phase composition is 50-95%.

Considering the fact that margarine and spread are considered fat-based products, the State Commission for the Protection of Economic Competition of the Republic of Armenia has also investigated the legal requirements in the turnover sectors of these products parallel to the butter market...

Read the full article in today’s newspaper.