The head of a non-governmental organisation set up to protect consumers' rights has blamed a drastic fall in the prices of eggs last summer on over-production and absence of exports, reports Arka.

Speaking at a news conference, Armen Poghosian, chairman of the Association of Consumers, said production of eggs in summer surged dramatically leading to a sharp decline in their prices although prices have begun to rise again over the last couple of months.

He said: "If Armenian poultry farms could sell part of their products outside Armenia, they would not have dropped the prices at the local market in summer."

Mr Poghosian added that export is the only way to avoid over-production and he urged owners of local poultry farms to exercise more efforts to seek new markets for their products because this type of business secures quick returns.

However, the head of Lusakert poultry farm, Minas Yepremian, said Armenian poultry farms have practically no chances to export their products because all its neighbours produce enough eggs to meet their domestic demand. Arka reports that he also questioned Mr Poghosian's remarks that this business guarantees quick returns, saying five months are required at least for young hens to start laying eggs and they need to be fed expensive feed.