Tomato prices expected to drop — ministry

AMMAN — Tomato prices are expected to drop at the central market in the next week, as farmers in Mafraq harvest their crops, Agriculture Ministry Spokesperson Nimer Haddadin said on Tuesday. 

“The area that is late in producing and harvesting is Mafraq,” Haddadin told The Jordan Times. 

The upcoming supply of vegetables from the northern governorate “will lead to a drop in wholesale and retail prices”, he added. 

Around 4,000 tonnes of vegetables, including 400 tonnes of tomatoes, are currently available on the market. 

“As production increases, the export rate increases as well,” the official added.

The Public Security Department’s radio station, Amen FM, recently reported that middlemen at the central market contributed to the rising costs of fruit and vegetables.

The middlemen, mostly guest workers according to the report, buy produce from the wholesale market and resell it to retailers at a higher price, driving the cost up for consumers. 

According to Haddadin, the guest workers were introduced to the central market with the approval of farmers and decision makers in the field. 

He said that retailers and the farmers’ union should handle the issue. 

The central market is affiliated with the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM), but the municipality’s responsibilities are limited to organisational and administrative issues, and providing a suitable environment, according to the GAM’s executive manager of markets, Majeed Odwan.

Meanwhile, the Agriculture Ministry spokesperson urged greater quality control at the market. 

“Farmers and officials have to monitor the quality of the produce on sale to make sure damaged products are not sold to customers,” Haddadin said.