Areni grapes: Armenia plans to subsidise the purchase of 2,000 tonnes left without a buyer in Vayots Dzor
- Published
- Place
- Vayots Dzor, Armenia
- Event date
- Past event —
Summary
The Armenian government has put out for public consultation, until 15 November, a draft decision to help sell the 2026 harvest of Areni grapes, the emblematic red variety of the Vayots Dzor region. According to the Ministry of Economy, the harvest is about 5,400 tonnes, of which 3,400 are already processed by growers or sold under contract, leaving nearly 2,000 tonnes without a buyer. The proposed solution is to distil them into brandy spirit. Grapes for distillation usually sell for 135 to 140 drams a kilo, against about 230 for Areni. The state would therefore pay about 70 drams per kilo to companies that buy at least 800 tonnes at no less than 210 drams. The cost could reach 140 million drams, taken from the government’s reserve fund.
Analysis
The problem stems from falling wine production, a pillar of Armenian gastronomy: about 8 million litres in 2025, 1.8 million fewer than the previous year (-18.5%), the equivalent of some 2,800 tonnes of grapes. For Vayots Dzor growers, the aim is to sell their harvest at close to market price rather than at a loss. To prevent abuse, grapes grown on the companies’ own land or that of related parties are excluded.
Possible consequences
If adopted, purchases made since 15 October will be covered; budget proposals are due by 20 November.
