The Minister of Industry, Trade, and Supply, Yarub Al-Qudah, confirmed that the Kingdom maintains a secure strategic reserve of essential food commodities. He emphasized that there is absolutely no justification for panic buying or hoarding, despite the ongoing regional military operations which have now reached their 26th day.
اضافة اعلان
Strategic Reserve Data (as of March 24, 2026):
The Minister provided a detailed breakdown of the Kingdom’s current stock levels:
Wheat: 550,000 tons in silos (6 months of consumption). Including shipments at sea and in countries of origin, the total supply covers 10 months.
Barley: Total stocks (including contracted quantities) cover 9 months.
Rice & Sugar: Rice stocks cover 4 months, while sugar covers 2.5 months.
Cooking Oils: Sunflower and corn oil (2+ months); Palm and soy oil (4 months).
Legumes & Dairy: Lentils and beans (6 months); Powdered milk (4 months).
Animal Feed (Corn): Over 4 months.
Supply Chain Stability
Al-Qudah noted that supply chains are functioning with high efficiency. To illustrate this, he compared current maritime activity at the Port of Aqaba with the previous year:
March 2026: 47 container vessels arrived or are expected, discharging approximately 72,000 TEUs (20-foot containers).
March 2025: 49 container vessels were discharged.
The Minister highlighted that these nearly identical figures prove that the flow of goods remains uninterrupted.
Shipping Costs and Market Prices
Regarding the economic impact of the crisis:
Freight Rates: Container shipping costs rose from $2,000 to between $3,500 and $4,000.
Price Impact: Al-Qudah explained that since the value of goods in a single container can reach 400,000 JOD, the resulting price increase on items is limited to 7%–10% at most. He added that many commodity prices are currently lower than they were during Ramadan.
Addressing Rumors (Energy and Lighting)
Responding to a surge in the purchase of emergency lighting:
Electricity & Fuel: The Minister assured the public that there are no planned power outages. Fuel and petroleum derivatives are sufficient for 2 months.
Candles & Lanterns: He explicitly stated there is no need to stockpile candles, kerosene stoves (Babour), or lanterns. "Do not buy candles or lanterns unless it is for a special occasion," he urged.
Market Monitoring
The Ministry has intensified its 24-hour surveillance to prevent:
Price Gouging: Comparing current prices with rates from three weeks ago.
Withholding Goods: Monitoring any refusal to sell by wholesalers or retailers.
Al-Qudah concluded by reassuring the public that the "most critical phase" (the first 10 days of any conflict) has passed without major price shocks or shortages, thanks to daily monitoring and proactive strategic planning.
