The National Society for Consumer Protection has called on the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Supply to halt the export of vegetables until the end of the holy month of Ramadan and to set price ceilings for vegetables, chicken, and red meat following what it described as dramatic and unjustified price increases in recent days.
اضافة اعلان
Dr. Mohammad Obeidat, in a press statement on Sunday, said that after the first third of the holy month had passed, prices of goods began to rise gradually and without justification, reaching levels that citizens can no longer afford and exceeding their purchasing power, especially during Ramadan when buying and consumption increase significantly.
Dr. Obeidat added that weather conditions that affected crops recently lasted only for a short period, and therefore cannot justify the magnitude of the price increases in vegetables. He explained that increasing quantities exported abroad at the expense of those supplied to local markets created a clear imbalance between supply and demand, which led to price increases that are ultimately borne by citizens, who are the weakest link in the market.
He further explained that through field visits and reviewing citizens’ complaints and observations, the association monitored the prices of daily essential goods, especially vegetables and chicken, to assess recent changes, as these items are essential commodities that cannot easily be replaced for long periods.
According to the association:
Tomato prices rose sharply and unjustifiably. The price of one kilogram increased from 0.65–0.75 JOD to more than 1.25 JOD, reaching 1.50 JOD in some areas, representing an increase of 50%–65% depending on the region.
Potato prices increased by up to 40%, rising from 0.50–0.70 JOD per kilogram.
Zucchini prices rose from 0.90–1.00 JOD to between 1.25 and 1.50 JOD, an increase of 40%–50%.
White onion prices increased by 25%–30%.
Cucumber prices rose by 25% in some areas and up to 35% in others, exceeding 1.25 JOD per kilogram.
Regarding imported red meat, prices increased by 1 to 1.5 JOD per kilogram. For example, large Romanian lamb, which was previously sold at 8 JOD, is now being sold between 8.50 and 9.50 JOD, despite being stored in refrigeration and not affected by weather conditions.
The price of local beef also increased from 9–9.50 JOD per kilogram to 10–10.50 JOD, which the association described as excessive and unjustified.
As for chicken, considered one of the most important items on Jordanian family tables, the price of fresh slaughterhouse chicken increased by up to 15% in some areas. At the beginning of Ramadan, it was sold at an average of 1.40–1.50 JOD per kilogram, but it is now being sold between 1.60 and 1.80 JOD, and even higher in remote areas.
Fresh packaged chicken also saw increases ranging between 8% and 15% depending on the brand.
Dr. Obeidat called on citizens to boycott goods whose prices have increased for a limited period until prices drop, reduce the quantities purchased, and look for alternative products where possible.
