Tycoon's Firm Importing Wheat to Armenia via Azerbaijan

The company importing wheat from Russia to Armenia through the territory of Azerbaijan is "Baghramyan" LLC. This information was confirmed in a conversation with ReOpen by the company's director, Vladimir Gasparyan, who presented the economic and logistical justifications for this decision.

According to Gasparyan, the unimpeded arrival of the first batch is already a reality. "If there were a problem with cargo in the RA for a month, and we didn't bring it based on our supposed suspicions and didn't take advantage of this opportunity, how right would that be? I think having an extra road, an extra door opening, is only welcome," he said.

The company director highlighted the potential to ease the burden on the Upper Lars checkpoint as a key justification, which has been the main challenge for Armenian freight carriers for years. Addressing whether this new route will lead to a decrease in the price of bread, Gasparyan noted that no significant impact should be expected. According to him, the price of wheat remains the same, and the transportation cost, although cheaper, is not so by a significant amount. "Not 50 percent or 20 percent, but a smaller number," he clarified.

Addressing the topic of whether using this route entails security risks, Gasparyan emphasized: "It was just a transit, it passed by rail, it was loaded and lead-sealed there, it was lead-sealed in the Russian Federation, in the Republic of Armenia we are the ones who break the seals, that is, it's already been opened."

As for the concern that Azerbaijan might one day decide to close the road, the director replied that it is beyond their control, but the company has an alternative plan. "If they decide to close it, we will still bring it with our trucks just as it was before this road opened—we will bring it by ferry through Poti again," he assured.

Gasparyan did not yet provide specific data on future import volumes and the transit conditions set by Azerbaijan, noting that they are discussing the topic with the Russian side.

It should be noted that "Baghramyan" LLC belongs to the family of former MP and businessman Samvel Aleksanyan and holds a dominant share of over 50 percent in the wheat market.