Russian grain imported into Armenia via Azerbaijani territory will undergo sampling and phytosanitary examination, the Food Safety Inspection Body (FSIB) confirmed, as reported by Factor.am .
Officials clarified that although the shipment is between EAEU (Eurasian Economic Union) member states—Russia and Armenia—there is no customs control at the border, but safety inspections will proceed as with any other grain imports.
Gagik Aghajanyan, CEO of the logistics company “Apaven,” called this a new route and opportunity for Armenia. “This is an alternative transport corridor, which is of interest to us. We haven't had a rail link with Russia in over 30 years. And this route also opens access to Central Asia,” he stated.
Previously, grain was transported by trucks from Vladikavkaz to Armenia, a roughly 250-kilometer journey. Aghajanyan added that the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the new route still need to be assessed.
Armenia imports most of its grain—300,000 to 350,000 tons annually—from Russia.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan noted that freight movement through Azerbaijan is a dynamic and evolving process, with new rolling stock likely to be involved soon.
Initially, the first train was expected to arrive from Kazakhstan, but as developments unfolded, Azerbaijan allowed freight trains from Russia to use the route as well. “It turned out that Azerbaijan permits Russian trains as well, and now certain product groups from Russia are being routed to Armenia through this corridor,” said Pashinyan.
He added that before the Kazakh train arrives, other goods might also be delivered via this route.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the strategic importance of reverse transit—the possibility of moving cargo from Armenia or Georgia through Azerbaijan toward Russia, Kazakhstan, or other destinations.
“We must see how this reverse flow will work in practice. I’m confident that over time, the public will be informed,” he added.
On the night of November 6, around 1,000 tons of Russian wheat arrived in Armenia via Azerbaijan. Russia has announced plans to send 132 more wagons of wheat by the same route. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev declared on October 21, 2025, that Azerbaijan has lifted all restrictions on the transit of goods to Armenia.
