Armenia exports 135 thousand sheep to Iran

TEHRAN, Nov. 17 (MNA) -- In 2011 Armenia exported 135 thousand sheep to Iran, said Armenia’s Deputy Minister of Agriculture Grisha Baghiyan to a press conference on Tuesday. Despite the extensive scales of export, the sheep stock continues to grow. Thus, in relation to previous year the number of sheep and goat stock increased by 35 thousand in 2011 reaching 568 thousand. According to Baghiyan, in the near future the number of sheep stock will reach 1.5 million. Deputy Minister argued that the number of cattle and pigs also marked increase. Cattle stock increased by 3 thousand, making 574 thousand overall, pig stock - by 5 thousand, making 120 thousand overall. Asked why high prices for meet would not go down, the official said that Armenia cannot fully support itself in pork and beef and therefore imports meat in certain amounts. In terms of lamb, we are 100% self-sufficient.