The trade turnover between Russia and Armenia decreased by two-thirds

The trade turnover between Russia and Armenia in 2026 decreased by two-thirds compared to 2025. The reduction in trade turnover will continue, said the Deputy Prime Minister of Russia. Cars with Dagestani and Azerbaijani license plates have been waiting for more than 10 days at the border of Azerbaijan and Iran; their cargo is pepper from Armenia, which they tried to pass off as Iranian and import into Russia, reported the Ministry of Transport of Dagestan.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", the operator of the state labeling system "Honest Sign" at the request of Rospotrebnadzor blocked the sale of more than 70 thousand bottles of drinking water and carbonated drinks from Armenia. The agency's decision is motivated by violations of mandatory product requirements.

The trade turnover between Armenia and Russia has sharply decreased

Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Alexey Overchuk announced a sharp decline in trade turnover between Russia and Armenia. In 2026, this figure decreased by two-thirds compared to 2025 and continues to decline.

“The situation that is currently developing in the relations between the EAEU and Armenia was predictable. We have been telling our colleagues in Armenia for the past few years that such risks exist, in particular, the risks of a decrease in trade turnover,” TASS quoted him as saying.

The situation is such that the decline will certainly continue

He clarified that in 2024, the trade turnover between Armenia and Russia reached a record level of about $12 billion.

“Last year it fell to $8 billion. This year there is a very dramatic decline in trade turnover, approximately to two-thirds relative to the indicators of 2025. The situation is such that the decline will certainly continue,” Overchuk stated.

Pepper from Armenia is stuck at the border of Azerbaijan and Iran

At the customs point and cargo terminal "Astara", a traffic jam formed with about ten trucks with Azerbaijani and Dagestani license plates. The cargo is pepper grown in Armenia, which was supposed to be re-exported to Russia. However, it turned out that Iranian intermediaries were trying to substitute documents to pass the goods off as Iranian, reported RIA "Dagestan" citing the Ministry of Transport of Dagestan.

Part of the pepper has begun to spoil — the expiration dates are approaching. Carriers are asking for permission to unload the goods, but intermediaries insist on transportation without unloading.

The bans on the import of Armenian products into Russia contradict the agreements between the two countries, Nikol Pashinyan reminded in a phone conversation with Vladimir Putin. The latter, in turn, insisted on holding a referendum in Armenia on joining the EU.

Russia imposed restrictions on imports from Armenia before the parliamentary elections that took place on June 7, in which pro-Russian forces also participated. The "Civil Contract" party, led by the current Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan, won the elections to the country's parliament. Commenting on its victory, Pashinyan stated that the three-headed war party was defeated (referring to the "Strong Armenia" bloc, the "Armenia" bloc, and the "Prosperous Armenia" party).