Amman - Minister of Agriculture, Saeb Khraisat, confirmed the ministry's readiness to facilitate the opening of new import markets for meat and ease procedures that limit increased import volumes, in cooperation with the private sector. He noted that since the onset of the crisis, the ministry has been working to streamline import operations and bolster available quantities to curb rising prices.
اضافة اعلان
During a meeting with companies importing fresh and frozen meat to discuss the causes of price hikes and ways to mitigate the impact of global increases, Khraisat added that the ministry will continue to support efforts aimed at strengthening the strategic meat reserve. This will be achieved by diversifying import sources and monitoring the readiness of supply chains to ensure the continuous availability of this commodity in the local market.
For his part, the Minister of Industry, Trade, and Supply, Yarub Qudah, emphasized the government's keenness to take effective and rapid measures to limit the rise in global prices of basic commodities—foremost among them meat—to achieve a balance between supply sustainability and consumer protection.
Qudah stated that the ministry, in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture and in partnership with the private sector, will work to address most causes of the rise in imported meat prices within available means. This aims to contribute to the sustainability of supply chains and increase quantities arriving in the Kingdom, particularly to the Greater Amman Municipality slaughterhouse, following a recent decline in supplied volumes.
He also pointed out that additional measures are being studied to support the continuity of imports and curb price hikes to benefit the local market. He stressed that market monitoring will be intensified in the coming period to prevent any monopolistic practices or unjustified price gouging. Qudah highlighted the vital role of the private sector partnership in maintaining market stability and providing goods in appropriate quantities and prices.
In turn, the Chairman of the Jordan Chamber of Commerce and President of the Food Merchants Association, Khalil El-Haj Tawfiq, explained that the rise in imported meat prices is due to genuine factors, most notably increased freight costs and higher global demand, as well as the suspension of several airline routes that previously facilitated transport.
He added that the association will launch an initiative to urge malls and hypermarkets to sell meat at cost price during the current period until the crisis subsides, as a way to alleviate the burden on citizens.
On their part, importers confirmed that there are no monopolistic practices or refusals to supply, indicating their intention to double imported quantities over the coming week and explore new markets that are more cost-effective in terms of both prices and shipping fees.
