ACBA Federation, GIZ, Vine and Wine Foundation of Armenia, the Union of Ararat Viticulturists (led by President Arsen Simonyan) have joined forces to boost Armenia’s table grape industry. This partnership focuses on enhancing cultivation and cold storage techniques to maximize export potential.

The project kicked off with online consultations with Mumin Isammiddinov, a renowned expert from Uzbekistan, to define a roadmap for development. Following a July survey of 50 specialized viticulturists across the Ararat and Armavir regions, Isammiddinov arrived in Armenia in early September for hands-on sessions.

On September 2-3, field visits were conducted in Shahumyan, Verin Artashat, and Arevik. Isammiddinov evaluated local practices, identified key bottlenecks, and provided on-site guidance for both cultivation and storage. These were followed by regional workshops on September 4-5, where he shared Uzbekistan’s success story. Through videos and slides, he demonstrated how Uzbek producers overcame historical challenges and emphasized that export-quality grapes begin with precision work in the field. He also highlighted the urgent need to modernize and re-equip cold storage infrastructure. The sessions were highly interactive, with farmers gaining fresh insights to drive their business growth. Mumin Isammiddinov praised the quality of Armenian grape varieties, assuring producers that with targeted improvements, they can excel in the global export market. The expert will now provide a comprehensive report and a set of strategic recommendations.