Khaberni - Mahmoud Al-Awran, the General Director of the Jordanian Farmers Union, said that the current season is among the toughest seasons that the agricultural sector, especially the olive sector, has experienced, due to climate changes and the scarcity of rainfall.
In radio statements, he added that the union addressed the Ministry of Agriculture to allow the import of olive oil from countries of the International Olive Council, after field studies and assessments showed that local production would not meet market needs this year.
He explained that the decision was made in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture and under specific conditions to ensure the quality of the imported oil and its compliance with Jordanian specifications, emphasizing that the primary goal is to protect both the consumer and the farmer at once, and prevent some traders from monopolizing the local oil.
Al-Awran mentioned that some traders have started in the past months of June and July to buy quantities of irrigated olives and monopolize them, which caused the price of an oil tin to rise in some cases to 160 dinars, noting that this increase has damaged the reputation of Jordanian farmers although they are not responsible for the crisis.
He confirmed that allowing imports will contribute to breaking the monopoly and achieving balance in the market, without negatively affecting local farmers, as local oil will be sold at a fair price.
Regarding the expected prices after the start of imports, Al-Awran said that the fair price for an oil tin should range between 110 to 120 dinars, which is an acceptable level that covers production costs and achieves balance between the producer and the consumer, adding that the Jordanian farmer relies on this season as a primary source of income that covers his annual living expenses.
