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Exports of Armenian products to several major markets increased significantly in January-August 2026, while a substantial decline was recorded in exports to the Eurasian Economic Union market, Economy Minister Gevorg Papoyan said at a Cabinet meeting.
Exports to the European Union increased by around 70%, while exports to India grew 2.1-fold and those to the United Arab Emirates rose by around 45-46%, Papoyan said.
“The only direction where we have a significant decline in exports of Armenian-origin products is the Eurasian Economic Union market,” Papoyan said, adding that export market diversification continues actively in other directions. The decline is due to the Russian restrictions on Armenian goods.
According to data presented by the minister, products worth around $990 million were exported in January-August 2025, compared with around $943 million in the same period of 2026. The decline was around 5%.
He said the figure was “not bad” considering Russia’s restrictions.
But aside from the restrictions, Papoyan said the decline in exports to the EAEU market was also due to crop volumes. In particular, more than 40,000 tons of apricots were exported last year, compared with around 12,000-13,000 tons this year, as the harvest was smaller due to weather conditions.
At the same time, exports of canned fruits and vegetables increased by 18%, dried fruits and vegetables by 64%, Armenian brandy by 10%, and live animals by 21%.
Businesses are expected to receive AMD 4.59 billion in compensation for products exported in August. The program provides support for exports of greenhouse products, fresh fruit, flowers, food products and certain types of beverages.
According to Papoyan, under the support program, around 3,000 tons of tomatoes, more than 2,200 tons of peppers, 3.9 million flowers, more than 2,200 tons of peaches, 292,000 liters of bottled wine and 336,000 liters of fruit and berry wine were exported.
Earlier in September, officials said Armenia had lodged a complaint within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) over restrictions imposed by Russia on Armenian products and expected the obstacles to be removed through the application of existing mechanisms.