AMMAN – The Jordanian Ministry of Agriculture has announced a ban on meat imports from Sudan, Djibouti, and Ethiopia due to the prevalence of transboundary animal diseases.
اضافة اعلان
Misbah Al-Tarawneh, Assistant Secretary-General for Livestock, stated in a radio interview that the recent spike in meat prices is a global phenomenon and not limited to the Jordanian market. He noted that all meat-importing nations have experienced significant price hikes.
Key Highlights from the Ministry’s Statement:
Self-Sufficiency & Imports: Jordan’s self-sufficiency in meat stands at 42%, requiring the import of approximately 52% of its needs from 21 approved international sources. These sources comply with the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) codes to ensure safety and quality standards.
Logistics & New Routes: Al-Tarawneh confirmed that Jordan has not been affected by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. To reduce costs, the Ministry has diverted maritime routes to use Tartus Port instead of the Red Sea, followed by overland transport. This new route is expected to positively impact prices in the coming period.
Syrian & Egyptian Imports: Meat imports from Syria (fresh, chilled, and live livestock) have resumed, with the first shipments entering the market last Thursday. Shipments from Egypt and live calves from European sources have also arrived.
Strict Health Controls: Despite some health concerns regarding imports from Egypt and Syria, the Ministry has increased testing protocols. Jordanian veterinarians personally supervise the slaughtering process in foreign slaughterhouses, followed by additional inspections at Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) abattoirs upon arrival.
Market Manipulation: The Ministry attributed some current price increases to certain traders withholding livestock to fatten them up for higher profits ahead of Eid al-Adha.
Positive Outlook: With a promising grazing season and abundant pastures, prices for local "Baladi" meat are expected to improve. The Ministry urged livestock breeders to maintain fair pricing and avoid withholding supplies.
(Source: Hayat FM)
