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“The volumes of wine production have increased by 30% in Armenia, with the brandy production seeing a 61% rise,” Chairman of the National Wine Center Avag Harutyunyan told a news conference on Friday, briefing on the official indicators of the first half of 2017.

Meantime, Mr. Harutyunyan added that the vodka production cut down by 35% in the indicted period.

“The wine production volumes grew by 1.5%, the one of brandy rose by 7 and the vodka production reduced by 10% compared to 2013. However the combined results do not show an increase, with 50% growth still needed,” Avag Harutyunyan said.

According to him, the main issue is linked with the Russian market, namely with the devaluation of Russian ruble and the sanctions imposed on the country. “The Russian authorities intend to fully switch to the consumption of the local wine and brandy. In general, there are two options that lines in Armenia’s interests: either the sanctions are lifted or further tightened, since in the case of the latter we will search for other markets. Only one percent of the Armenian wine and brandy is exported to the US,” he added.