Khaberni - The Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Saieb Khreisat, announced that the Ministry is monitoring the quantities of oil produced this season and in case of a shortage or deficit in quantities, the door will be opened for importing from abroad to ensure oil is available at prices suitable for everyone, and to maintain market balance. He pointed out that the prices will be close to the rates of previous years.
He said that the operations of opening mills and picking olives will begin from the middle of the current month, indicating that the Ministry had held a series of meetings with the Association of Mill Owners, olive producers, and exporters in preparation for the current season.
In a discussion with the Public Security Radio, he explained that this year there is a decrease in olive production, which pushed the Ministry to decide to stop exporting olives in order to preserve the local product and ensure that the olive oil prices are not negatively affected in the local market.
Regarding the quality of the oil, Minister Khreisat confirmed that the Ministry conducts detailed inspections in cooperation with the National Center for Agricultural Research, the Public Institution for Food and Drug, the Standards and Metrology Institution to ensure the product quality and prevent any attempts of fraud.
The Ministry also launched yesterday an awareness campaign under the slogan: "Check the olive oil and make sure it is guaranteed", which is an annual campaign aimed at enhancing consumer confidence in the local product.
Minister Khreisat pointed out that the end of next month will see the launch of the 25th National Olive Festival, which serves as an important marketing platform for farmers and rural product owners where olive oil is offered at moderate prices after being tested within the festival and annually attracts increasing numbers of visitors.
In related context, Minister Khreisat confirmed the presence of inspection and supervisory tours on the mills before and during the pressing operations, where the Ministry teams follow up on compliance with health conditions and prevent fraud, in addition to ensuring suitable conditions for oil storage and pressing.
Khreisat concluded his speech by emphasizing that the timing of olive picking varies from one region to another depending on the climatic conditions, where fruits ripen in eastern areas before others, and the Directorate of Agricultural Guidance directs farmers to the best time for harvesting according to clear scientific standards
