We Have No Reasons to Celebrate: Expecting Much Lower Apricot Yields This Year, Says Garnik Petrosyan

The challenges in the field of crop production are deepening, stated former Deputy Minister of Agriculture Garnik Petrosyan during a conversation with journalists.

According to him, there was a significant frost in April. “At that time, based on my predictions, I announced that we would have an average apricot yield. However, unfortunately, subsequent observations showed that we really have no reason to celebrate; we are expecting significantly lower apricot yields this year. The grape harvest will be at an average annual level. However, there is a serious concern regarding grapes: there are only three months left until the harvesting season, yet so far, processing companies have not signed contracts, except for the Yerevan Brandy Company,” he noted.

Petrosyan pointed out that this will create serious problems. “As a result of many years of struggle by several farming enterprises, the Yerevan Brandy Company had started offering a higher purchasing price, taking on a leading role, but other companies continue to do everything possible to reduce the price of grapes, and as a result, the Yerevan Brandy Company has lowered its purchasing price by 15 drams this year,” he added.