This year’s hail cut almost 50-60 per cent of the expected harvest in Armavir marz. The agricultural farms that did not suffer losses due to natural disaster, were of the opinion that they would not face any sale related problems and could even dictate prices. In general, the picture of the agricultural products’ sale is much more visible during apricot harvest and assessment can be based on this.
It’s been a week of the start of apricot harvest. Sergo Karapetyan, the minister of Agriculture, arrived “Noyan” factory in Vanand village, Armavir marz and followed the purchase process. Although apricots were damaged due to hail, on the first day it was purchased in 50 AMD per kilogram. If we consider that 50 AMD is the money to reward farmers’ expenses, we will be mistaken. Nevertheless, apricot harvest is damaged, and the company is doing a favor by purchasing it in 50 AMD. And still, it is a contribution to the affected farmers.
The minister did not manage to get to the capital city when “Noyan” company entrance faced huge queues. Traditionally, artificial queues aim to reduce the purchase price, although the company has promised to purchase 3 tons of apricots.
On the second day of purchase, the company suggested the farmers to sell apricot in 40 AMD per kilogram, and on the third day the purchase price was cut by 10 AMD.
Purchase price is a very important factor for the farmers, something that is always missed in the statements of the authorities announcing that no farmer will face a purchase problem. Is the apricot purchase in 30-50 AMD considered to be a purchase? Specialists estimate that only if farmers sell their apricots in 70 AMD per kilogram, they will hardly be able to cover the expenses, otherwise, the price cheaper than that means to destroy apricot orchards.
Every year, at this time, buyers from Georgia, in addition to other ones, were buying a large quantity of apricots. In fact, the latter had a big impact on the price policy. A farmer sold his good product in 250-400 AMD, and overmature or damaged apricots were provided to the factories in 60-70 AMD. This year, there are no buyers from the neighboring country due to the high custom duty. Consequently, buyers are dictating the price policy. The market can not sell the entire harvest, accordingly, it can be carried out by the factories and exporting “Spayka” company .
Apricot is differed from other fruits because farmers are not given time for harvest, it is a matter of hours rather than days. Buyers are also well aware of the fact thus dictating their prices to the gardeners.
In the Russian markets one can see Armenian apricots imported from Central Asia, Turkey; moreover, Armenian large apricot orchards are visible from the other side of Araks. Therefore, this condition will turn apricot into dainty for the near future.