Armenia annually produces about 1500 tone wool from 633.000 sheep, the most part of which is sold in the domestic market and in Georgia. “Wool Processing Factory” in Surenavan buys big quantities of wool every year. After making some materials it sells them to “Haygorg” and “Armen-carpet” companies to make hand-made carpets. The rest part of wool is used by producers to make bed accessories.
The head of animal breeding and farming department of the RA ministry of agriculture, Ashot Hovhannisyan has informed “Armenpress” that “Hask-96” NGO and “Tufenkyan” fund have started breeding Armenian “Balbas” sheep in remote regions of Armenia. The wool of Balbas is very easy in production, takes colors easily and is very effective in-use. Such wool is processed by people in their houses and later is used for making carpets, which are mainly purchased by foreign tourists. The ministry’s department in charge of improving carpet production in Armenia is supporting “Armen Carpet” and the wool processing factories of Surenavan. Besides that, the mentioned department, with the help of American organizations, helps to sell and export old carpets.
Mr. Hovhannisyan also says that Armenia annually produces 400-600 coats with sheep coverage and other such pullovers, which are sold in Turkey. Besides the wool, Armenia annually produces leathers of about 240-250 thousand horned cattle. This leather, after being checked by the republican central laboratory, is exported to Turkey, Italy, Russia, Iran. A part of that leather is bought buy small and medium businesses to produce belts, handbags, purses and shoes.