Armenia’s Farmers Face Export Crisis as Russian Market Closes

Long-standing trade relationships can unravel in a matter of months, but rebuilding them-or replacing them with new ones-often takes years, if it is possible at all. Armenia is now confronting that reality as farmers and fish producers struggle to find alternative markets after losing access to Russia, their traditional export destination. Tomatoes and Fish Pile Up in Armenian Warehouses Armenian farmers, followed by fish producers, have begun protesting after losing access to both their established export markets and the alternative markets they were promised. Farmers recently blocked the strategic Yerevan-Yeraskh highway, saying processing plants have stopped purchasing their harvest because they can no longer export finished products abroad. One farmer said he had been unable to sell nearly 60 tons of tomatoes. According to protesters, two processing facilities that had previously bought produce from local growers refused this year's harvest because export opportunities had disappeared.