The AMD 140 million (about $390,000) program offers buyers 70 drams per kilogram if they purchase at least 800 tons and pay growers at least 210 drams per kilogram, directing grapes from Vayots Dzor toward brandy production.
Armenia’s government has approved a 140 million dram (about $390,000) subsidy to help buyers purchase unsold Areni grapes from Vayots Dzor for brandy production. The payment of 70 drams per kilogram is intended to offset the lower price of grapes used for brandy spirit rather than wine.
About 2,000 tons of Areni grapes remained unsold, Hetq said. The outlet linked the surplus to an 18.5% fall in Armenian wine production in 2025, accumulated winery inventories from the previous year and a widespread lack of advance contracts.
Companies must meet the purchase threshold and minimum grower price to qualify. Hetq said the threshold is intended to exclude wine-producing entities and protect competition. Buyers cannot claim the subsidy for grapes grown by the buyer, its founders, shareholders holding more than 10%, or immediate family members.
The Economy Ministry’s justification for a related loan amendment put the prevailing price for grapes purchased for brandy spirit at about 135 drams per kilogram. The subsidy package draws on the government’s fourth-quarter reserve because the ministry lacked unallocated funds, Hetq said.
The deadline for grape-purchase contracts used to calculate subsidized procurement loans has been extended to 15 November 2026. Previously, the loan calculation used contracts concluded before 1 August of the relevant year. The ministry said many growers, including the overwhelming majority in Vayots Dzor, lacked contracts, while processors were willing to contract with those growers and buy more grapes but wanted additional credit to pay for them.
The ministry, which developed the loan amendment from private-sector proposals, expects the extension to enable purchase of the entire harvest requiring procurement. The intervention draft also calls for regional governors’ offices to monitor purchase points and for purchased quantities to be documented.
Under the intervention draft, the economy minister must submit a budget-reallocation and funding decision draft to the prime minister’s office by 20 November 2026. The draft says the measure takes effect the day after publication and applies to legal relations arising after 15 October 2026.
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