The deliveries of Armenia’s Ararat brandy to Russia are carried out under existing contracts with the producer and will continue in the future; if necessary, a way out will be found. Ernest Khachaturyan, the CEO of Russia’s largest wine importer, Luding Group, said this in an interview with RIA Novosti.
At the end of May, the company announced that Pernod Ricard, which had previously decided to stop exporting its products to Russia, did not receive notifications about ending collaboration with the Ararat brandy brand and continues to supply it to the Russian market.
“Nothing has changed, supplies continue. I can’t imagine Russia without Ararat, and Ararat without Russia. All existing contracts are being fulfilled, then we will look and find some way out. Again, the French producer [i.e. Pernod Ricard] established relations with both Russia and Armenia for a long time,” said Khachatryan.
In mid-May, Pernod Ricard announced that it had stopped exporting all its international brands to Russia at the end of April. It was noted that the company will also stop the distribution of its products in Russia. The company’s portfolio includes dozens of brands, including Chivas Regal whiskey, Jameson, Ballantine’s, Absolut vodka, Olmeca tequila, Havana rum, and Ararat brandy.
In mid-May, Armenian economy minister Vahan Kerobyan also had said that the Yerevan brandy factory owned by Pernod Ricard may stop exporting its products to Russia.
Source: News.am