Armenia’s Economy Minister Gevorg Papoyan has confirmed that Armenia is continuing to receive wheat shipments by rail through Azerbaijan and Georgia, with new batches currently en route following recent deliveries from Russia and Kazakhstan. The shipments, which began on November 6 and consist of second- and third-grade wheat, mark the first rail-based grain transit through Azerbaijan in decades, following the initialing of a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan in August.
Speaking to reporters at the National Assembly on Monday, Papoyan confirmed that deliveries are ongoing. “It continues, there are new batches on the way now,” he said. He declined to disclose the countries of origin or expected arrival dates, stating that details, including total tonnage, would be provided once the shipments reach Armenia.
On November 6, Armenia received a 1,000-ton shipment of wheat from Russia by rail via Azerbaijan and Georgia. Two days later, on November 8, a second shipment of 1,000 tons arrived from Kazakhstan, transported through Kazakhstan, Russia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. According to Armenpress, the initial Russian delivery consisted of 15 wagons, after which Moscow signaled its intention to send an additional 132 wagons of wheat through the same corridor. Russia’s Transport Ministry has said these additional shipments could be completed by the end of January 2026.
Papoyan said the upcoming deliveries will be larger than previous shipments and will consist of second- and third-grade wheat. He stressed that the wheat delivered to Armenia was not fourth-grade but third-grade wheat, adding that it was consumed by the public, including by the minister himself, and that the delivered batch was only enough to last for a few days.
The economy minister said it remains unclear whether the latest shipments will affect bread prices in Armenia, as pricing depends on several factors, including global wheat prices and fluctuations in the Russian ruble. Armenia currently pays $275 per tonne for Russian wheat, he said, compared to $190 to $200 per tonne during the same period in 2024. Papoyan noted that while rail transit could reduce costs by $10 to $20 per tonne, other factors have had a much greater impact on prices, contributing to increases of up to $85.
Papoyan highlighted that the rail route allows for faster and uninterrupted deliveries, could reduce transportation costs, and strengthens Armenia’s food security.
At present, Armenia primarily imports Russian wheat through Georgia via the Upper Lars checkpoint, which is periodically closed due to adverse weather conditions. During such closures, Armenia relies on its wheat reserves, Papoyan said, raising concerns about prolonged disruptions.
“If the road were closed for a month, what would we do?” Papoyan asked rhetorically. “In that case, there is an alternative road,” he added, referring to the rail route.
Asked whether Azerbaijan could eventually use Armenian roads for cargo transit, Papoyan said he believes this will happen in the future. “I assume they are waiting for a complete settlement [of Armenia–Azerbaijan relations],” he said.
Regarding the import of Azerbaijani oil products, Papoyan said there is currently no new update and confirmed that Azerbaijan has not begun importing fuel through Armenian territory. “There is nothing new regarding the import of Azerbaijani oil products into Armenia. Ask the companies, let them confirm whether there is such a thing or not,” he said, adding that details related to fuel imports are a trade secret. “What I have confirmed is that much; I cannot say more,” Papoyan stated, reiterating that Azerbaijan is waiting for a comprehensive settlement before beginning to use Armenian routes.
Talks are also underway regarding the possible transit of Azerbaijani fuel through Georgian territory to Armenia. During discussions in Doha, Azerbaijani presidential aide Hikmat Hajiyev stated that Yerevan and Baku were discussing the export of oil and oil products from Azerbaijan to Armenia with Armenian Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan. On December 8, Georgia’s Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development announced that it would not levy duties for the first transit of Azerbaijani oil products to Armenia. Papoyan described this one-time, duty-free transit through Georgian territory as a gesture by Tbilisi dedicated to the peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
The reopening of regional transport routes remains one of the most sensitive and central issues in ongoing peace negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
In November, ahead of the first wheat deliveries via Azerbaijan and Georgia, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev announced during his October 21 visit to Kazakhstan that Baku had lifted all restrictions on the transit of goods to Armenia. The Russian and Kazakh wheat shipments marked the first cargos delivered under this arrangement following the initialing of the peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan in August.
That agreement was initialed during talks in Washington mediated by U.S. President Donald Trump. As part of the Washington agreements, the sides also signed a deal to establish the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP), a transport corridor linking Azerbaijan to its exclave of Nakhichevan through Armenian territory.
