Flower growers disagreed with the Armenian authorities' optimistic forecasts regarding new sales markets.

Flowers from Armenia can be sold in the markets of the EU, Central Asian countries, the Arab states, and neighboring countries, stated Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. It is difficult to sell flowers on the domestic market even at the lowest prices, and there is no information about deliveries to Europe, farmers countered.

As "Caucasian Knot" reported, Rosselkhoznadzor introduced temporary restrictions on the import of flowers from Armenia starting May 22, 2026. The ruling party attempted to minimize the damage from the Russian embargo on agricultural products with a subsidy program for farmers, and the Armenian government promised support measures for fruit, wine, and mineral water producers who ship goods to other countries. However, on June 11, it became known that a ban on the import of almost all plant products from Armenia was imposed. In May, Georgia purchased 218 tons of flowers from Armenia, accounting for over 63% of its total floral exports. This is the highest figure in the history of trade relations.

Authorities outline optimistic prospects for flower producers

Armenian flower producers need to quickly adapt to new export destinations and take into account the requirements of these new destinations, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated at a government meeting. He stated that the new export destinations that have opened up "ultimately have no volume limitations." "However, it is important to be able to engage in this process and act in accordance with its logic and regulatory requirements," Novosti Armenia quotes him as saying today.

Significant opportunities have opened up for Armenia, and a diversity of export destinations has emerged. Future forecasts in this regard are optimistic.

As Pashinyan stated, this applies, in particular, to the markets of the EU, Central Asian countries, Arab states, and neighboring countries.

"Significant opportunities have opened up for Armenia, and a diversity of directions has emerged. Future forecasts in this regard are optimistic," Pashinyan said.

Farmers reported losses and a lack of access to foreign markets.

Farmers who sell their produce at the wholesale flower market near the Hrazdan stadium disagree with the authorities' optimistic forecasts, writes News.Am.

According to flower growers, the consequences of the restrictions have affected not only those producers working for export, but also sellers oriented towards the domestic market. After some of the produce intended for export remained in the country, a surplus of flowers appeared on the domestic market. As a result, prices have dropped sharply.

Flowers aren't selling; they're spoiling.

"Previously, a bunch of sunflowers would sell for 2,000 drams (US$5.50), but now the same bunch is barely selling for 200 drams (US$0.55). Everyone is trying to sell the flowers as quickly as possible before they spoil," the publication quotes one trader as saying.

Farmers note that a significant portion of their produce is already being thrown away.

"Flowers aren't selling; they're spoiling. You can't even imagine how many we're throwing away," another source said.

We don't know anyone at this market whose flowers have been shipped to Europe. We're trying to sell everything on the domestic market, but there are almost no buyers.

According to the growers, the situation is complicated by the fact that many of them operate on loans.

"How are we supposed to pay them if I was supposed to sell flowers for 3,000 drams (US$8.17), and now they won't even take them for 1,000 (US$2.72)?" says one farmer.

Flower growers said they don't know any farmers whose produce has been shipped to Europe since the restrictions were introduced.

"We don't know anyone in this market whose flowers have been shipped to Europe. "We're trying to sell everything on the domestic market, but there are almost no buyers," one farmer was quoted as saying in a June 22 publication.

Russia imposed restrictions on imports from Armenia ahead of the parliamentary elections, in which pro-Russian forces participated. The Civil Contract Party, led by current Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, won the 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 defeated.