ARMENIAN DRIED FRUIT AND VEGETABLES IN GREAT DEMAND IN EUROPE

Noyan Tapan

Dec 12, 2008

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 12, NOYAN TAPAN. Chir company produced 500 tons
of dried fruit and vegetables this year, with 20% of its production
being exported to European countries. The production of dried fruits:
plums, apricots, peaches has grown by 20% as compared with last year,
and most of these products were sold in the domestic market, while the
dried vegetables and spices have been mainly exported, NT correspondent
was informed by Sandro Abovian, the chairman of the Assosiation of
Dried Foodstuff Producers, a Candidate of Technical Sciences.

He said that dried tomato is in especially great demand in
international market. However, because of prices it is not profitable
for the company to produce large number of dried tomatoes, and
this year the company had reduced the purchase of tomatoes and the
production of dried tomatoes due to the appreciation of the Armenian
dram. At the same time, it was mentioned that the company has reached
an agreement with foreign partners on establishing a new price of dried
tomato. Besides, dried egg-plants and red peppers will be exported.

The number of companies engaged in the production of dried fruit and
vegetables has increased in the country in recent years, and local
producers have reached great success in this sector. According to
S. Abovian, the sector is considered one of the most promising branches
of Armenian agriculture, while market relations presuppose production
of a large number of dried foodstuffs in line with international
qualitative indices. With this aim, as S. Abovian pointed out, state
assistance is needed in the provision of loans at low interest rates.

In his words, this sector started developing in Armenia in the
1990s. There are more than 220 solar drying houses in 9 Armenian
marzes. 500-1,200 tons of dried fruit and vegetables is produced by
using various methods in Armenia annually, which is enough for only
a small part of the population for consumption.