August 27, 2010

Armenian companies keen to export meat to Turkey

Despite border disputes, Armenian companies have proposed exporting red meat to Turkey to satisfy growing demand in the country.

"Armenia would be pleased to export processed meats to Turkey," Arayık Makaryan, director of Global Armenia Businessin Andarag Ltd. said. "Business has limits and we are here to make business. For us, politics has no priority at all."

Vladimir Galstyan, president of the Armenian Sector Union of Farmers and Tanners, said his company exported 120,000 live cattle to Iran last year. "So why not to Turkey?" he asked.

Albert Ohanjanyan, a meat producer from Armenia, said his company is proposing to provide Turkey with 1,000 tonnes of fresh or frozen meat. "The border between the two countries should be opened as soon as possible to enhance the meat trade," he said.

The Turkish government temporarily relaxed the tax on livestock imports from 135% to 40% until December 31, 2010, to encourage imports in an attempt to balance skyrocketing red meat prices.

As of 2008, Armenia holds nearly 630,000 heads of cattle, of which 314,000 are cows, according to the "Regional roadmap for West Eurasia" report written by Khachik Sargsyan and Satenik Khartyan. Even though Turkey has nearly 10.8 million head of cattle, according to the Turkish Statistical Institute, market demands, and consequently prices, remain high.