Each year farmers face problems with selling the grapes and displant the vineyards

About 7,000 tones of grape fruit is expected this year only from Ararat province – Armenia’s largest fruit producer province – but the point is that the farmers can’t sell the produce at the price they would like to, Chief Editor of Azdarar journal Martik Sargsyan said at a press conference today.

In his words every year the farmers face problems with selling the produce and have toughest times in winter with meagre supplies.

“In spring Armenian farmers cultivate the grapes with sweet dreams in mind, but they feel bitterness in autumn and regret for their lives [when they face problems with selling the produce,” explained he.

Head of Ararat village administration in Ararat marz (province) Grigor Melkonyan in turn said that each year the factories that buy the grapes present to the farmers contracts that have beneficial terms only for the factory and they thrust upon the farmers the price they prefer, while the farmers unwillingly enough sign those contracts as they have no other choice.

He also mentioned that recently Ararat Congnac Factory informed all its contractors that it will by 30% reduce the quantity of grapes to be bought from each farmer this year.

“There are rumors that the storage price for grape will this year drop down to 50 AMD per kilogram. The farmers come and complain to the head of the village administration. But what can he do? I am saying it with great sorrow, most of the villagers have started to displant the vineyards,” said Melkonyan.