Price increase for a number of food items, including potato, a priority product in every Armenian’s ration, has been observed on the food market of Armenia.

Explaining the situation, Armenian parliamentarian Lernik Alexanyan cited overproduction of past years as the reason for current price increase.

“Last year’s harvest was not fully sold out, which caused farmers to cut down potato production in 2010, bringing about price increase,” he said. “Next year’s production growth will once again lead to decrease in prices, which, however, can’t go below the self cost.”

Commenting on high prices for agricultural products in general, the MP blamed the situation on unfavorable natural conditions, as well as on inadequate work of the government, including the Ministry of Agriculture.

Dwelling on potato exports increase, which could have a possible effect of price growth, Alexanyan stated, “In the long term, exports promote the development of the country.”