“Wheat importers can agree with Russia”

The abrupt increase in grain prices in international market will affect Armenia deeply unless the Armenian authorities undertake measures to diversify agricultural market and liquidate the monopoly of grain imports, Ex-President of CBA Bagrat Asatryan told a press conference.

According to the speaker, fluctuations in price for wheat in the global market always affect Armenian market when the price rises. “Prices for bread have been always rising in Armenia in the past years even when they fall in the international market,” expert said.

He is also concerned over reduction of wheat-sown areas in Armenia.

Addressing the Russian government decision to temporarily stop grain exports Asatryan said the issue can be settled. “Armenia imports only 300-400 thousand tons of grain. It is very little for Russia. We can also use the abilities of Ukrainian, Kazakh, Romanian markets,” Asatryan said.

He noted that today the price for a bag of flour rose by $2. A bag of flour cost $19 in early 2010, while it costs $22 in May-July.