Wheat Imports to Armenia: The Importance of Objective Quality Control
Grain imports into Armenia via Azerbaijan have once again come under scrutiny following a statement by the Food Safety Inspection Body of Armenia. Laboratory tests showed that shipments of wheat from Kazakhstan correspond only to Class 3.
Inspection results
• Phytosanitary inspections confirmed the absence of quarantine pests.
• Safety analysis revealed that the levels of toxic elements, pesticides, and mycotoxins are within established limits.
• Quality classification showed that the grain does not meet higher standards (Class 2), which is important for the baking industry.
These findings do not call into question the safety of the product but highlight the need for strict quality control to protect the interests of local producers and consumers.
Balancing the interests of supplier and importer
On the one hand, the supplier from Kazakhstan ensures stable grain supplies that meet basic safety requirements. On the other hand, Armenia, as an importer, is interested in higher quality standards, especially in a global market where competitiveness directly depends on grain characteristics.
The role of modern technologies
For objective assessment of grain quality, infrared analyzers such as Granolyser and Granolyser HL are becoming increasingly important. These instruments allow:
— analysis without sample preparation;
— determination of key parameters (moisture, protein, gluten, starch, etc.);
— results within 20–40 seconds;
— high accuracy and reproducibility of data;
— export of results to databases and accounting systems.
The use of such technologies makes the control process transparent and independent, which benefits both suppliers and importers.
Conclusion
The situation with wheat imports from Kazakhstan shows that grain quality issues go beyond national borders and become part of international trade relations. By strengthening phytosanitary control and applying modern analyzers, Armenia can ensure objective evaluation and increase confidence in imported products. This creates conditions for an open and fair dialogue between suppliers and importers and contributes to strengthening the country’s food security.