Armenian grape farmers close highway demanding increase in purchase prices

Armenian grape farmers in Armavir have been protesting the low purchase price of their produce for the second day in a row.

Yesterday they gathered by the Ararat cognac factory in Armavir and later closed off the highway connecting the city with Yerevan.

There were several run-ins between drivers and protestors. Movement along the road was restored only towards the evening.

The farmers are demanding 160 drams (less than 30 US cents) per kilogram, a price they were promised earlier. Currently, they only receive 140 drams. Buyers in turn say that they have already raised the purchase price by 10 drams, and that they cannot afford to raise it further.

Demonstrators say that it is unprofitable for them to sell their produce to buyers at the current price.

The Armenian Minister of Agriculture Artur Khachatryan met with the protesters today, and promised to discuss the issue with the grape purchasers and solve the problem. Afterwards, the farmers temporarily halted their demonstration.