April 11, 2012

Armenia's Bacon Product production to increase 40% in 2012                          

Armenia's Bacon Product Co. Ltd, is going to increase its production by 40% this year due to exports to Russia and Ukraine, the company's director Karen Margaryan told journalists on Tuesday (Apr 10).

He said that in 2011 the company's output grew by 15% to 600 tonnes. Each day the company produces five tonnes though its full capacity is 20 tonnes.

"We produce almost 100 items. 7% of our products are exported to Georgia. If we start exporting our goods to Russia and Ukraine, our output may grow by 40%," Margaryan said.

He said that in 2010 his company signed a cooperation agreement with the Union of Meat Producers of Russia and began producing a fat free sausage.

"We are also planning exports to Europe. For this purpose we are implementing the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point programme," Margaryan said.

He said that 90% of the meat they process is imported from Argentina and Brazil and only 10% is bought from local producers. "The imported meat is cheaper and is not worse than the local one," Margaryan explained.

The National Statistical Service of Armenia reports that almost 60,000 tonnes of meat and meat products were produced in Armenia in 2011.