Government grants new benefits to greenhouse farms

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Armenian government has decided to support greenhouse farms by introducing additional benefits. During a cabinet meeting, Economy Minister Gevorg Papoyan said the assistance is intended to mitigate problems caused by restrictions on exports to Russia.

According to the minister, 20 agreements have been signed under previous support programs. Greenhouses covering a total area of 91.5 hectares have either been established or are currently under construction, of which 34.5 hectares have already been completed and produced output this year, Sputnik Armenia reported.

Papoyan explained that if monitoring results completed by July 1 confirm that a greenhouse has been built, has produced agricultural goods and has carried out sales, the maximum eight-year loan term available to that business will be extended by an additional six months.

In addition, beyond the existing 12-month grace period, greenhouse operators will receive an extra six months for repayment of both loan principal and interest.

The economy minister also presented updated export data. According to him, between June 1 and June 17, Armenia exported 411 tonnes of greenhouse vegetables and strawberries, as well as approximately 1.8 million flower stems and 17 tonnes of flowers.

The products were exported to Georgia, Uzbekistan, United Arab Emirates, Iran, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Latvia, Romania, Czech Republic, Austria, Netherlands, France, Belarus and Kazakhstan.

Since June 12, Russia’s Rosselkhoznadzor has restricted imports from Armenia of all products subject to quarantine control, as well as their transit through Russian territory to other EAEU countries. The restrictions will remain in place until a special mechanism ensuring the safety and traceability of shipments is developed.

Before that, Rosselkhoznadzor had also temporarily restricted imports of flower products from Armenia. Since June 2, restrictions have also applied to imports of stone fruits and grapes from Armenia, while imports of apples, eggplants, potatoes and dried fruits are set to be restricted from July 3.

On June 3, Papoyan announced that the government would subsidize exports of greenhouse products and reimburse customs duties on fresh fruits, vegetables and flowers exported to the European Union. On June 12, he also stated that he plans to visit Russia in the near future to discuss issues related to Armenian-origin products.