In recent years, Armenia has been facing an increasing problem of reliance on poultry imports, posing a threat to the country’s food security.
According to an investigation by the portal “Hetq,” which specializes in investigative journalism, over the past decade, Armenia’s self-sufficiency in poultry production has not exceeded 30%, with the remainder of domestic demand met through imports.
In 2023, the situation in Armenia’s poultry market remained quite challenging. The country imported around 39,000 tons of poultry, valued at $60 million, marking a 2% increase in volume and a 3% rise in cost compared to the previous year.
Meanwhile, local production amounted to only 14,800 tons, clearly insufficient to meet the annual domestic demand, which is estimated at 53-54 thousand tons.
The geographical structure of poultry imports to Armenia is as follows: 25% of supplies come from Russia, 24% from Ukraine, 21% from the USA, with a significant share also coming from Brazil.
Local producers face serious challenges in competing with importers. The article notes that imported products are often cheaper, making them more attractive to consumers. However, the quality of imported poultry frequently raises concerns, creating additional health risks for the population.
Recently, a shocking incident occurred in Armenia: employees of a private company unearthed buried and disposed-of chicken meat. Under the direction of the Food Safety Inspection Body, the State Revenue Committee disposed of 13 tons of spoiled chicken by burying it. However, workers from the company “Brothers Armen-Amik” dug up the meat and transported it to their warehouse.
Later, remnants of the chicken with soil on the packaging were found in their refrigerators. The incident is currently under investigation by Armenia’s Investigative Committee.
“The overall trend of increasing imports continues into 2024. In the first half of the year, 21,000 tons of poultry were imported, while local production amounted to only 7,000 tons. According to the Union of Poultry Farmers of Armenia, the number of companies involved in poultry imports continues to grow, further intensifying market competition,” the article states.
