'Jordan food industry witnessed 8 per cent export growth in 2019'

AMMAN — The Kingdom’s food industry sector accounts for 52 per cent of the local market share, contributing to food security and boosting the engines of growth, according to a representative of the Food Sector at the Jordan Chamber of Industry (JCI).  

The sector’s adherence to the global standards and specifications, alongside its implementation of the international frameworks for food safety, led to an 8 per cent growth in Jordanian exports in 2019, Muhammad Jitan said in a JCI statement sent to The Jordan Times on Saturday.

“The food industry in Jordan has various sub-sectors, including the dairy industry, canned goods, fruits and vegetables,” Jitan stated, adding that the sector creates 5,000 job opportunities, which are mostly for Jordanians.

The food industry also accounts for 15 per cent of the total number of Jordan’s industrial facilities, with up to 2,645 industrial establishments, he added.

“The value of exports during 2019 totalled JD530 million,” Jitan said, citing the Jordan Food and Drug Administration data indicating that food factories’ closure rate has been 5 per 1,000 for over three years as of now, which is a very small percentage.

Jitan noted that Jordan is “self-sufficient” in a number of food commodities, especially dairy and chicken products.

“Jordan’s food exports reach 70 markets around the world, and its imports are mainly from Europe, the US and Arab markets,” Jitan said.