Khaberni - The Secretary-General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Muhammad Al-Hayyari, predicted on Monday, the opening of the door for olive oil imports after the current November 15.
Al-Hayyari said that the ministry is in the process of preparing the special import instructions from countries in the International Olive Council; these countries are reliable for olive oil and will be multi-sourced, excluding oil imports from Syria.
He added that Jordan's need for olive oil reaches 25,000 tons, explaining that importing oil will be to balance the prices and meet the need.
He mentioned that olive oil prices depend on the equation of supply and demand and natural costs.
He talked about the possibility of also opening the door for exports within reasonable limits after carefully studying the matter to avoid losing foreign markets.
He affirmed that Jordanian olive oil is among the best in the world and has a good reputation internationally.
He emphasized that the import equation will be carefully studied and the import quantities will be specified, stressing that what matters to the ministry is that the prices are reasonable within a correct equation.
He explained that the Ministry of Agriculture does not set the prices; however, when there is an exaggeration in prices, the market is regulated in a fair and suitable way.
On his part, the Secretary-General of the Jordanian Olive Pressers and Producers Union, Ezzedine Al-Faqir, said that supply and demand, in addition to the consumer's desire to buy, determine the price of an olive oil tin in Jordan.
Al-Faqir added that the demand for olive oil exceeds the supply, noting that the season is still in its early stages, and it is necessary to wait until the end of November.
He urged citizens to delay buying olive oil until the end of the current month, believing that the rush to buy it is the main reason for the price increase.
He saw that the price of an olive oil tin ranging from 100 to 120 dinars is considered fair, affirming that the union has asked farm owners not to raise prices more than that.
In turn, the media spokesperson for the Consumer Protection Association, Maher Hajjat, said that an olive oil tin priced at 120 dinars is currently not available in the market.
Hajjat added that prices range between 130 and 150 dinars in Irbid Governorate, confirming that these prices are unaffordable for citizens.
