Gov’t assures public of sufficient food stock

AMMAN — The Ministry of Industry, Trade and Supply on Thursday assured citizens of the availability of food stock, price stability and the “success” of government policies that ensure the preservation and enhancement of stocks in parallel with continuous monitoring of markets.

Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply Youssef Shamali said that the strategic stock of foodstuff is sufficient for local and imported items, as the ministry works in partnership with the industrial and commercial sectors to maintain the stock and keep it always within safe limits, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

During a meeting with President of the Amman Chamber of Commerce (ACC) and head of the Food Traders Association Khalil Haj Tawfiq, and a number of food traders, Shamali highlighted the importance of continuing to work to enhance the supply stock and maintain price stability, especially before and during Ramadan.

The minister was briefed by Hajj Tawfiq and merchants on the stockpile and the ongoing contracts to secure the Kingdom's needs.

Since 2008, the ministry has implemented a hedging policy, under which a safe stock of wheat, barley and food commodities has been maintained, with multiple import sources, facilitating a smooth supply to the Kingdom.

Shamali said that the stock of wheat is sufficient for domestic consumption for about 15 months, and the stock of barley is sufficient for 11 months.

He added that the import operations take place from different countries, especially from Romania, where the volume of wheat imports from it last year amounted to about 90 per cent of the total contracted quantities. 

The minister noted that the Kingdom has not imported these goods from Russia in 2021 and 2022 due to imposing export fees on wheat, barley and corn, adding that Jordan has not imported any of these items from Ukraine this year as well.

Shamali indicated that the level of reserves of other commodities is also “comfortable”, and there is continuous coordination with the commercial and industrial sectors to further strengthen them, noting that the government previously took  many measures to speed up and facilitate the clearance of food commodities and reduce import costs.