Due to the state support to export, Armenia has tangibly increased fish production and export, Armenian Minister of Agriculture Sergo Karapetyan said at a regional three-day workshop on fish breeding problems. The workshop kicked off in Yerevan on June 16.
Karapetyan pointed out that in 2014 the cost of the gross fish product made up 28.7 bln AMD (up 24.6% versus 2013). In 2011-2014, the fish production output increased more than twofold, and the export grew from 1600 tons in 2011 to 2706 tons in 2014Ј.
"Fish breeding is a promising direction for Armenia. It has a high development potential and it is possible to fully use that potential due to cooperation with the leading international organizations, gradual introduction of advanced resource-saving and efficient technologies, as well as production of goods meeting international standards and growth of fish exports," he stressed.
For her part, Aina Afanasyeva, Head of the Eurofish organization, expressed hope that this regional workshop that has brought together experts from 20 European countries will pay an important role in promoting the cooperation, exchanging experience and enhancing awareness of the field.
The organizers of the three-day workshop are FAO and Eurofish. The latter launched activity on 12 October 2001, when the first five member countries signed the relevant agreement. At the moment, the member countries of the organization are Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Romania, Spain, and Turkey.
According to the National Statistical Service of Armenia, in 2014 the total output of the fish farms of Armenia made up 28.7 bln AMD, with a slackening year-over-year growth to 24.6%, amid the 30-31% annual growth in 2011-2013. In Jan-Apr 2015, the gross fish output of the fish farms totaled 12 bln AMD, with a 31.4% year-over-year growth, which is higher than the year-over-year growth in Jan-Apr 2014 (20.2%), but lower than the year-over-year increase in Jan-Apr 2013 (36.1%). The share of fish products in the agricultural output was 9% in Jan-Apr 2015 versus 8.6% in Jan-Apr 2014, 6.9% in Jan-Apr 2013 and 5.7% in Jan-Apr 2012.