It is fig season in Chinari and Aygedzor villages. Every year around this time, orchards across these border villages bustle with harvest activity. For dozens of families, figs serve as a vital source of annual income. This year’s yield is plentiful once again; while farmers are pleased with the orchards’ output, after harvesting the crop, they face the problem of selling their produce. Compared to previous years, fig export opportunities have narrowed significantly this season, an impact already felt across the villages. The yield is there and the labor complete, but sales conditions and demand are not what the villagers anticipated.
For local farmers, fig season represents months of effort: orchard care, cultivation, harvesting, and sorting. The revenue earned from these steps is crucial for supporting local households; when buyer markets shrink, family incomes drop accordingly. Nevertheless, residents remain hopeful. Part of the yield continues to sell domestically within Armenia, and villagers anticipate that trade will pick up in the coming days.
In previous years, numerous trucks transporting produce were a common sight along village roads. Procurement stations were also buzzing with active trade. Farmers are waiting for that momentum to return. Compounding the sales bottleneck are low purchasing prices and strict buyer requirements: residents report that set procurement prices fail to cover their production costs, while smaller-sized fruit is frequently rejected outright.
Fig season moves forward in Chinari and Aygedzor. Farmers continue harvesting and sorting their crop, holding out for buyers and a more active market. The hardworking people of Tavush share one simple expectation: a fair market for their labor.
