Ararat  is  among  the  most  rewarding  sites   for   a   traveler.   It   is   the agriculturally rich and flat valley of the Arax River. Located South of Yerevan, it embraces the solemn brown hills of the lower Azat and Vedi river watersheds, fine green valleys and mountains in the upper reaches. The double silhouette of Mt. Ararat, which on clear days is so close and magical, dominates Ararat Region.

   Artashat Cannery OJSC was established  in  1961  in  the  administrative center of Ararat Region, in city of Artashat. Initially it was a small fruit and vegetable processing plant with an annual capacity of 50 tons. In 1970 the cannery was reconstructed, reequipped and the capacity was increased 400 times.

   During the transition years the factory suffered a  decline  in  production but never stopped operating. In 1991 it was privatized. Currently the plant operates at 10. 000 tonnes annual capacity and has 200 permanent and 80 seasonal employees. During 2001-2002 the company launched 5 new products: rose hip juice, 3 types of ketchup, canned grape leaves, and caper marinade. Within this period the company has installed a new filling line for fruit and vegetable concentrate.

   During  the  last  3  years  USDA  Marketing  Assistance   Project,   Andre Group, the World Bank and “Lincy” Foundation have been supporting the cannery. New production lines have been installed enabling to produce fruit and vegetable concentrates in aseptic bags, which are currently being exported to Russia and Ukraine and have a great demand in the market. In 2000 twist-off jar production line has been set up and twist-off jars have been imported from Bulgaria.