Armenia Seeks Iranian Trade Growth Amid Falling Exports

Armenia's foreign trade turnover rose 1.7% to $11.5382 billion between January and July 2026, according to the Statistical Committee of the Republic of Armenia. While overall turnover increased, the growth was driven by a 7.7% rise in imports, which reached $7,502.5 million. In contrast, exports fell by 7.9% year-on-year to $4,035.7 million, with July specifically seeing a 15.7% decline in exports.

To address these trends, Economy Minister Gevorg Papoyan met with Iranian Ambassador Khalil Shirgolami in Yerevan to propose expanding bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, energy, and logistics. Papoyan urged that political dialogue be converted into tangible economic results, specifically by increasing Armenian exports to Iran and utilizing the free trade agreement between Iran and the Eurasian Economic Union.

The discussions focused on improving border procedures and securing long-term supplies of diesel fuel and liquefied gas. Data from Armstat shows that while Armenia's trade turnover with Iran rose 8.4% to $371.4 million in the first half of 2026, Armenian exports to Iran actually declined by 6% during that same period.