Khaberni - Representatives of the food and poultry sectors confirmed that the heavy demand from citizens to buy goods before the beginning of Ramadan is the main factor in driving and raising prices, emphasizing that "the citizens' rush to buy goods raises prices, not the trader," and affirmed that local markets are experiencing abundance and stability in most categories.
The deputy of the Food Traders Guild, Khaldoon Al-Aqqad, told the program (Economic Sunday) on "Al-Mamlaka" channel, that the guild did not observe any increase in prices, explaining that prices have been stable for three months, including legumes and canned goods, except for cooking oil which was affected by global issues, not local ones.
He added that the guild conducted a study and did not notice any price increases, and that the minimum self-sufficiency level of goods reaches four months, with a comfortable food stock available and abundance in the local market.
Al-Aqqad pointed out that the shopping pattern and the culture of intensive buying at the beginning of Ramadan confuse the market and put a burden on the citizen's pocket, confirming that there is no trader monopolizing any commodity in Jordan, as at least seven traders import each commodity, and that Jordan is considered the best in terms of food prices, availability, and quality.
He explained that paying salaries on the first day of Ramadan could "cause a disaster for traders" due to the high demand and increased ability of warehouses to supply the required goods, and the consumer might run out of salary after just a few days, leading to a decline in demand for products and halting sales after a week.
He confirmed that Ramadan goods are currently the most sought after by citizens, and that the first week of Ramadan and the days preceding it are the ones that cause confusion in the market, despite the availability of materials in the markets.
Al-Aqqad said that operational costs contribute to determining the prices of goods on citizens, confirming that there is no commodity in the market that is subject to monopolization by a specific trader.
He referred to the noticeable rise in prices of Brazilian-origin chicken during the recent period, noting that the pricing equation of chicken in the local market depends on supply and demand.
* No increases in poultry prices
For his part, Abdel Shakour Jamjoum, the president of the Poultry and Feed Investors Association, said that poultry prices did not witness any increase during the past week, despite the strong demand from citizens which usually lasts for a week before stabilizing in the second week of Ramadan, confirming that the current prices are "very normal" but do not reach production costs.
He added to "Al-Mamlaka," that 2025 was a bad year for farmers, causing significant losses to poultry breeders, with fresh kilo prices reaching dinar or less, pointing out that the kingdom's production covers 120% of its needs for poultry and table eggs, with efforts to export the surplus 20% despite the difficulty of exporting due to external competition.
Jamjoum emphasized that there is no monopoly on chicken, given that it is a commodity subject to supply and demand, and that consumption is the factor influencing the price, as increased demand raises prices.
He explained that there are 1800 broiler chicken farms, including about 12 major companies, while the daily production ranges between 600,000 and 700,000 birds and rises in Ramadan to between one million and 1.1 million birds, with a monthly need of about 32,000 tons of meat.
Jamjoum criticized the fuss when local chicken prices rise, confirming that importing it is more costly than producing it locally, as the cost of imported chicken per kilo reaches 1.85 dinars delivered to the warehouse without any slaughter and tax fees, making it reach the consumer at a higher price than the local one.
He pointed out that frozen chicken is available at the association when there is a high demand for fresh, explaining that the price of fresh chicken kilo ranges between a dinar and a half and two dinars, and that anything sold for less is usually large amounts imported that the trader wants to dispose of.
Jamjoum added that poultry and table eggs are the cheapest sources of protein for the Jordanian citizen.
He also called for not creating a big fuss when local poultry prices rise by amounts ranging from 10 to 20 piasters.
Jamjoum added that cut chicken focuses on certain cuts, each with a special price, and it is a local product.
He added that importing chicken breasts to factories for industrial packaging purposes is allowed, but some factories sell these quantities in the market, describing it as a violation.
He confirmed that the price of chicken cuts is higher than that of the whole chicken in the local market, and that chicken is currently sold for less than its cost.
He explained that the pricing equation of chicken is based on supply and demand, and its costs, which constitute about 80% of its inputs, include imported soybeans, soy oil, and corn, which depend on global prices.
* High demand for meats
In turn, Zaal Al-Kewalit, president of the Livestock Breeders Association, said that Romanian meat is available in the market in good quantities, although their weights are large, explaining that importing from Romania starts in March, and the prices of Romanian meats range between 8 and 9 dinars per kilo.
He added to "Al-Mamlaka" that the market includes about 15 importers of Romanian meat, confirming that the big demand for meat at the beginning of Ramadan is what raises prices.
Al-Kewalit pointed out that the available quantities of local meats are sufficient, but they are limited due to delayed births, drawing attention to the fact that their prices range between 9 and 12 dinars per kilo, describing them as moderate as last year.
He called for reducing the intense consumption of meat and changing the consumption culture among citizens before Ramadan.
He explained that importing live meat from Syria is currently prohibited due to the spread of diseases, although Syria has opened the door for exports, stressing that the import conditions require that the imported meats are not similar to local meats and do not contain diseases, meaning there is no monopoly and there is significant competition in the market.
He explained that Australia and Sudan have stopped exports to most countries, including Jordan, which has led to greater reliance on Romanian meats, adding that offers on meat prices indicate that the meats offered are either large or sick.
* No price increases for the end of Ramadan in the civil consumption
On his part, Essam Al-Jarrah, the acting general manager of the Civil Consumption Corporation, confirmed that strategic and Ramadan goods are available in the institution's markets, pointing out that preparations for Ramadan are made annually through studying the strategic stock and analyzing consumption rates during the month, collecting consumption data, and issuing tenders to provide the required goods for citizens.
He explained to "Al-Mamlaka," that all materials have been inspected by the relevant institutions to ensure their accuracy, health, and compliance with specifications.
He drew attention to the fact that the stock in the Civil Consumption Corporation is sufficient for a period ranging between 3 to 5 months, and confirmed that there will be no price increases for any item until the end of Ramadan due to the availability of the strategic stock.
The Minister of Industry, Trade, and Supply, Yarub Al-Qudah, said on Sunday that the strategic stock of all supply materials in the Kingdom is safe and comfortable, and is continuously bolstered through local products and imported goods from various origins, including Ramadan goods.
Al-Qudah confirmed that the ministry, as usual, began early preparations for the holy month of Ramadan, by increasing the quantities of goods in the markets and through continuous arrangements with the private sector, both commercial and industrial, to meet the needs of citizens in the holy month, during which consumption rates increase by no less than 30 percent.
He referred to meetings with commercial, industrial, and agricultural sectors and others related, during which supply chains and local production were discussed, and it was found that there is an abundance of food supplies in large quantities, and that the prices of most goods are stable, while some have decreased compared to the corresponding periods of previous years due to competition and the peak of production of some goods.
