Khaberni - Minister of Industry, Trade, and Supply Yarub Al-Qudah stated on Tuesday that the strategic stockpile of food commodities in Jordan is safe and comfortable.
Al-Qudah used the wheat stockpile as an example, noting that the stored quantity of wheat is 575,000 tons, which will suffice for the kingdom for six months, in addition to 358,000 tons contracted for and on their way to the kingdom by sea, sufficient for an additional four months.
In a related context, Al-Qudah explained that the barley stock is 317,000 tons, enough for the kingdom for three and a half months, plus the contracted quantity which will last another four months, according to the kingdom.
Al-Qudah noted that the kingdom's stockpile of various food commodities is sufficient for a period ranging from two and a half to four months.
Al-Qudah urged citizens not to "stock up" in large quantities, as goods are continuously available in the markets, explaining that the government had decided last week to allow the transportation of containers by land and not solely rely on sea shipping.
He mentioned that in the past few days, Aqaba Port received 10 ships, including 5 container ships, a wheat ship, a barley ship, in addition to oil derivatives and gas, with 18 more ships to enter Aqaba Port in the next ten days.
Al-Qudah announced that it is expected that a ship will arrive next Thursday at Aqaba Port containing 1400 containers, including 260 refrigerated containers for food products.
He anticipated that the increase in shipping costs would not significantly affect the prices of food commodities in the markets.
He affirmed that the ministry has intensified market surveillance to ensure that prices do not increase and to prevent monopolistic practices, in addition to coordinating with traders and industrialists through a series of meetings aimed at ensuring the availability of goods and preventing price increases.
