Meghri   City   is   situated  at  the  southern  part  of  Armenia   in   Syunik Region and is considered to be the hottest place in the country. The surrounding area is very brown, but the town and its fields are grassy thanks to the plenty water from the Meghri river. Meghri means “honey” and the fruits produced on this land have special taste and aroma. It is common to see pomegranates and figs growing on trees along the roads.

   Sole      Entrepreneur      Hasmik       Mirzoyan       and       her       husband Tevatros Papikyan established a company of dried fruits in Meghri. The driers are located in 375 km from Yerevan and 200 m right from Meghri-Yerevan highway.

   The company is involved in fruit growing  and  fruit  drying.  The  idea  to establish fruit driers was initiated in 1994. With the financial assistance of United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), fruit dryers were installed and in 1995 when the company was not yet completely established, Hasmik and Tevatros recovered the traditional methods for dried fruit production and marketed the first lot of dried fruits to Yerevan grocery stores and supermarkets.

   Currently, the company has 5 permanent and 30-40 seasonal employees. The production consists of sun dryer, packaging  department and storage. During the harvest period the company selects and dries figs, persimmon, peaches, apricots, pears, plums, and apples. Pears, figs, and peaches are smoked before drying in order to maintain the good appearance and features. The drying process is continually controlled that guaranties even drying of the fruits. The dried fruits are put into boxes and stored in a cold and dry place. The final product is packed on handmade plates of different shapes, is shrink-wrapped and labeled right before the order is presented. The enterprise annually sells 2 tonnes of dried fruits or around 4. 000 baskets.

   A very  fruitful  cooperation  began   with   USDA   Marketing   Assistance Project (MAP) in 1996. Along with the financial and technical support, MAP assisted in finding new markets, particularly in Moscow.

   The company participated in several training programs on fruit  growing and processing, food sanitation, business management, and marketing.

   Hasmik   and    Tevatros    presented    their    products    during    several international and local trade shows. With the support of USDA MAP they participated in the Armenian-Russian Business Forum in 1997, in the Armenian Small and Medium Size Entrepreneur Trade Fair in 2000, and in the First International Trade Show ArmprodExpo 2001. Their products were presented to the American consumer during Made in Armenia Expo 2002 in Glendale.