YEREVAN, JUNE 19, NOYAN TAPAN. There are great prospects of developing the wine-making sector in Armenia, but the free market and business have their own rules so the state should intervene in this business. Chairman of the Agrarian Farmer Union Hrach Berberian expressed this opinion at the June 19 press conference. At the same time he said that the wine-makers cannot regulate their market and it is necessary to find some other ways in terms of ensuring high quality production and export. "The state assistance is not necessary for export, this issue is related to manufacturers' marketing, which, unfortunately, is at a low level in Armenia," he noted. In his opinion, the grapes grown in Ararat Valley have a 30% sugar content and for that reason the wines made from such grapes are strong or "heavy" and are not in demand in European markets where many prefer light wines. Whereas, according to H. Berberian, grapes with a high sugar content can be used in the production of grape juice, raisins and grape honey, which is similar to natural honey in its quality. "It surprises me that the local manufacturers do not develop this direction. For example, grape juice is much in demand in Europe, and the Armenian grape juice with its high sugar content will be competitive both in Europe and Russia," H. Berberian said, adding that in the Soviet time there was a brisk demand for Armenian grape juice in Russia.

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