Yerevan /Mediamax/. Armenian wine consumption made 1680 thousand liters in Armenia in 9 months, 2009, having reduced by 10% as compared to the analogous period in 2008.

Mediamax reports that the Chairman of the Union of Armenian Winemakers Avag Harutyunyan said this at a news conference today.

According to him, cognac consumption reduced by 30%, making 692 thousand liters. At that, vodka consumption in Armenia increased by 5% in the accounting period and made 7288 thousand liters. Avag Harutyunyan accounted this for the consequences of the crisis, noting that the population survives the financial crisis this way.

Chairman of the Union also presented export data. Thus, in January-August, 2009, 268 thousand liters of wine were exported, as compared to 554 thousand liters in 2008. Export of cognac in the accounting period made 1890 thousand liters (3686 thousand liters in 2008), and cognac alcohol – 755 thousand liters (5693 thousand liters in 2008).

Avag Harutyunyan noted that the “financial crisis seriously struck this sector, and double-digit decline is there practically as to all indices, as compared to 2008”.

At that he noted that as compared to Armenia, in Azerbaijan, Russia and Ukraine, the producers are rendered support at governmental level.