Armenian fish farmers say they can't compete with European producers

Armenian fish farmers say they are facing mounting financial pressure after Russia banned imports of Armenian fish and fish products, cutting off their largest export market.

“We feed the fish, but production is shut down, it’s not working,” fish farmer Levon Sevoyan said at a protest outside the Armenian government building on Tuesday. He explained that local producers cannot compete with large-scale operations in Norway, Turkey and Denmark, where costs are lower and logistics easier.

Sevoyan noted that Armenia’s aquaculture industry expanded after 2014, when Russia closed its market to Norwegian companies, creating an opening for Armenian exports. But with the new ban, farmers are left with unsold stock and mounting debts.

Armenia exported between 10,000 and 15,000 tons of fish annually in recent years, but Sevoyan said small-scale shipments would not ease the crisis. Farmers are struggling to repay loans and pay wages, with exports halted since May.

He added that the domestic market can absorb only about 10% of current production, while transporting fish abroad takes 10 to 16 days, making exports difficult.