The Issue with ‘Food City’ Remains Unresolved but No Trucks Loaded with Goods Are Blocked

Meetings have taken place with more than 20 entrepreneurs working in the Azerbaijani market in Russia regarding the issue of ‘expelling’ trucks loaded with Armenian agricultural products from ‘Food City’. Vardan Toghanyan, the Armenian Ambassador to Russia, shared details about resolving the issues related to Armenian agricultural products in an interview with Sputnik Armenia.

Apart from ongoing hostilities along the Armenia-Azerbaijan border, Azerbaijanis recently launched a ‘plum war’ against Armenians in Moscow. Armenian goods were removed from trucks at midnight from ‘Food City’, one of Moscow’s wholesale markets, but the following day, Armenians quickly gathered in Moscow and purchased all the plums. Subsequently, Armenian entrepreneurs offered space in their trade centers to the merchants.

“We have actively discussed this issue, especially within Russian media frameworks. In fact, we are in active communication with the Moscow government, meaning that this connection has been established. The issue that arose on Friday concerning the blocked trucks was resolved as early as Saturday. As of now, there are no blocked trucks,” Toghanyan said.

According to him, there is also no issue with the distribution of Armenian agricultural products, thanks to Armenian entrepreneurs who provided space for sales. However, the problem associated with ‘Food City’ remains unresolved as Armenian drivers are unable to deliver goods there. The ambassador noted that some Armenian drivers have found a way and are still able to occupy space in ‘Food City’ to sell their goods. However, the problem has not been definitively resolved.

Toghanyan pointed out that Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan has also raised the issue of selling Armenian agricultural products in the Russian market at the EAEU Council meeting. “Such a question needed to be raised, but its resolution is complex, bureaucratic, and will require lengthy discussions. In other words, we cannot expect quick results, as this issue needs to go through lengthy procedures. Now we need to take steps until the outcome of this process is achieved,” Toghanyan noted.

He indicated that operational issues related to the sale of Armenian agricultural products are being addressed by engaging with law enforcement bodies, the Moscow government, and trade regulatory committees.