Changes in the geography of Armenian exports
On 10 October, a preferential trade regime for Armenian goods exported to the European Union came into force. Under the EU decision to apply autonomous trade measures, the bloc will liberalise around 80% of imports from Armenia by removing import duties. The measures will cover a wide range of goods, including agricultural products.
The European Union has decided to support Armenia in response to restrictions that Russia has imposed on Armenian goods. Since May, Russia has banned imports of Armenian fruit, vegetables, fish products, alcohol and many other goods. Russian agencies responsible for enforcing the restrictions cited alleged failures to meet quality standards. However, it later became clear that Armenia’s closer integration with Europe had prompted the measures.
Exports of Armenian-origin goods to EU countries have grown for several months. In effect, this trend began before the preferential trade regime came into force. From January to June 2026, Armenia exported more than $516m worth of goods to the EU. This marked an increase of more than 80% compared with the same period last year.
Exports to EU countries are now expected to grow further. At the same time, Armenia is seeking other markets.
The local outlet Factor TV analysed the results of these efforts. Drawing on data from the Ministry of Economy and the Food Safety Inspection Body, it compiled a list of countries that received significant volumes of Armenian goods. The findings show that products traditionally exported to Russia now go to Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Ukraine and Iraq.
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More than 94% of exports went to three countries
According to data from the Food Safety Inspection Body, Uzbekistan, Georgia and Ukraine accounted for more than 94% of Armenia’s fruit exports in June 2026:
- 48% of fruit exports went to Uzbekistan,
- around 34% went to Georgia,
- approximately 12% went to Ukraine.
Georgia took the lead in July, accounting for around 35.3% of exports. Uzbekistan followed with 21%, Kazakhstan with 13%, Ukraine with 10.5% and Iraq with around 8.2%.
By comparison, in June 2025, Russia alone accounted for 86.7% of Armenian fruit exports. The figure rose to 87.2% in July.
State budget compensation for exporters
In response to the restrictions Russia imposed, the Armenian government launched support programmes for local exporters. These include subsidies and cash compensation, including payments to cover export duties in other markets.
In June and July, the government paid around 3.96bn drams ($10.3m) in compensation to exporters of strawberries, apricots, sweet cherries, plums, nectarines and peaches.
Over these two months, the state covered costs associated with around 90% of the export volume:
“The total volume of strawberry, apricot, sweet cherry, plum, nectarine and peach exports reached around 16,752 tonnes. The state budget provided compensation for 15,083 tonnes.”
Support programmes also continued in August. The government allocated around 4.52bn drams ($11.8m) that month to support exports and purchases of agricultural produce. This sum also covered costs for exporters of vegetables and flowers.
How the compensation was distributed
The figures for June and July show that apricots and sweet cherries accounted for 81% of the 3.9bn drams ($10.3m) allocated to fruit exports:
- The government allocated around 1.86bn drams ($4.8m) for apricots.
- Sweet cherries received around 1.33bn drams ($3.5m).
The government also paid compensation for strawberry, peach, nectarine and plum exports, but the amounts were smaller.
Exporters do not receive compensation automatically for every kilogram of produce they ship abroad. They must apply to the Ministry of Economy and submit customs or transit declarations, along with invoices confirming the exports. The ministry reviews each application and pays the compensation if it finds no discrepancies in the documents.
Under the government’s decision, compensation rates per kilogram stood at 770 drams ($2) for strawberries, 200 drams ($0.5) for apricots, 250 drams ($0.6) for nectarines and 400 drams ($1) for sweet cherries. For some fruits, the compensation came close to the average market price. In June, for example, strawberries sold for an average of 933 drams ($2.4) per kilogram.
Changes in the geography of Armenian exports