Armenia has requested that the justification for restrictions on the import of goods to Russia be reviewed.
Armenia has officially appealed to the Eurasian Economic Commission regarding problems with exporting Armenian products to Russia. The Armenian government has also promised support for fruit, wine, and mineral water producers who ship goods to other countries.
As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," Rosselkhoznadzor (Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance) imposed temporary restrictions on the import of flowers from Armenia starting May 22, 2026, and on fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, herbs, and strawberries starting May 30. Furthermore, the import of all Armenian mineral water "Jermuk" and a number of cognacs and wines to Russia has been suspended, while the import of fish from Armenia has been significantly restricted. As of June 2, Rosselkhoznadzor extended the ban to fresh grapes and stone fruits, including cherries, and as of June 3, it also extended it to potatoes, eggplants, pome fruits, and dried fruits. The ruling party attempted to minimize the damage from the Russian embargo on agricultural products with a subsidy program for farmers.
The loss of direct access to the Russian market due to political disagreements and tightened inspections has resulted in a direct threat of bankruptcy for farmers: goods that fail border inspection are returned, and local markets won't even sell them for pennies. The support measures proposed by the authorities are insufficient, farmers and truck drivers said.
Armenia appealed to the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) regarding Russian import restrictions
Armenia has officially appealed to the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) regarding problems that have arisen in exporting Armenian products to Russia, the republic's Minister of Economy, Gevorg Papoyan, announced today.
According to him, Yerevan intends to seek a review of the barriers and restrictions imposed on Armenian goods on the Russian market. "We have appealed to the EEC so that the commission can examine the issue of the barriers and restrictions imposed on us. "There are procedures, and we are guided by them," the parliament's press service quoted him as saying.
The government promised compensation to producers of fruit, wine, and mineral water
At a meeting on June 11, the Armenian government approved measures to support the export of fresh fruit, bottled grape wine, brandy, and mineral water, News.Am reports.
Presenting the draft decision, Deputy Minister of Economy Arman Khojoyan stated
"Last week, the government approved a measure to support the export of fresh tomatoes, peppers, strawberries, and greenhouse flowers from Armenia. The goal of the measure was to promote the diversification of the export market and the formation of new supply chains. This draft proposes to approve a second similar measure - with the aim of stimulating the export of apricots, plums, cherries, mineral water, wine and brandy," he said.
The draft proposes to provide producers engaged in export with compensation in the following amount during June: 1 kg of apricots - 200 drams (US$0.54), 1 kg of plums, peaches and nectarines - 250 drams (US$0.67), 1 kg of cherries - 400 drams (US$1.08), each liter of bottled grape wine - 350 drams (US$0.94), each liter of bottled brandy - 830 drams (US$2.25), each liter of mineral water - 150 drams (US$0.40).
"After the export of the specified goods in June, the representative To receive compensation, a business entity must contact the Ministry of Economy and submit two documents: a transit declaration for export to EAEU member states or copies of the declaration completed under the customs export procedure, as well as an invoice," the ministry representative said.
According to Khojoyan, approximately 257,000 kilograms of cherries and 64,900 kilograms of apricots have already been exported since June 1, and organizations that carried out these exports can also apply to participate in this program and receive compensation at the end of the month.
Khojoyan also reported that in the week following June 1, 961,000 flowers were exported from Armenia to the UAE, Romania, Bulgaria, Latvia, Cyprus, the Netherlands, and other countries. However, he admitted that at the initial stage, supply volumes may be limited, Armenia Today reported.
Another decision by the Cabinet concerns the export of non-bottled cognac spirit. The government decided to compensate exporters for the state duty of 100 drams (US$0.27) per 1 absolute liter. Compensation will be provided on the condition that companies purchase grapes in the volume corresponding to the export during the season. This mechanism will be in effect from June 1, 2026 to June 1, 2027.
Russia introduced restrictions on imports from Armenia against the backdrop of Armenian political forces preparing for the parliamentary elections scheduled for June 7. At the same time, in early May, the European Political Community summit and the Armenia-EU summit were held in Yerevan. In connection with this, Russian pro-government media accused Armenia of "betrayal" and an anti-Russian course, and Vladimir Putin noted that the Armenian authorities should decide as soon as possible on participation in the EU or EAEU. Putin previously stated that combining Armenia's course toward rapprochement with the EU and membership in the Eurasian Economic Union is "definitely impossible," and noted that Moscow would "like" all pro-Russian political forces to participate in Armenia's parliamentary elections. The Civil Contract Party, led by current Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, won the country's parliamentary elections. Commenting on its victory, Pashinyan declared that the three-headed war party (referring to the Strong Armenia bloc, the Armenia bloc, and the Prosperous Armenia party) had been routed. The Armenian opposition demanded a recount of votes at 555 polling stations.