Gov’t okays barley import from Syria in view of livestock sector demand

AMMAN — The government has approved the import of barley from Syria to cover the Jordanian market’s need, especially for livestock farmers, who consider it vital for their animals, according to an Agriculture Ministry statement.

Minister of Agriculture and Minister of Environment Ibrahim Shahahdeh said that this decision will “achieve financial savings of between JD15 million and JD21 million, compared to if Jordan were to import the produce from any other country”.

He added: “The quality of the produce, given that it is from this year’s harvest, is sure to be outstanding as well.”

The decision came during a meeting on Saturday between a number of associations and farmers.

“The ministry’s actions this year have supported the livestock sector and doubled exports from last year in terms of value and quantity,” Zaal Kawalit, president of the Sheep Breeders Association in Karak, said at the meeting.

Chairman of the Union of Tafileh Farmers Arafat Mirayat added that the livestock sector “has seen the positive effects of the ministry’s decisions”, adding that he “hopes this decision will be yet another turning-point”.

Ministry Spokesperson Lawrence Majali told The Jordan Times that livestock farmers, traders and produce importers will all be allowed to import the barley.

“It is important to take into account that the price for which Syria is giving us the barley is at least JD30 less per metric tonne than the price it is currently sold for worldwide. With time, I am sure competition between Syrian sellers will make the prices even cheaper,” he concluded.

On a global level, the US Department of Agriculture estimated that one metric tonne of barley cost around $110 in September of 2019, according to a Bloomberg report.