Ammon News - By Hana Namrouqa/ Jordan Times

AMMAN — The Ministry of Agriculture is studying the option of either reducing or banning vegetable exports to control their prices in the local market, a government official said on Sunday.

The decision will be announced this week, Agriculture Ministry Spokesperson Nimer Haddadin said, underscoring that the measure will be temporary.

“Prices of certain vegetables, mainly tomatoes, are rising in the local market because demand is high while supply is low. Therefore, vegetable exports will be regulated to control prices,” Haddadin told The Jordan Times over the phone.

Jordan exports vegetables to the Gulf countries, Iraq and Europe, he said, noting that the country exported over 800,000 tonnes of fruits and vegetables to 43 countries last year.

“Consumers are currently complaining about the rising prices of tomatoes, which is due to the end of the tomato season in the Jordan Valley and the beginning of its season in the desert and Mafraq in the northeast region,” Haddadin said.

Local demand for tomatoes is 500 tonnes per day, but currently supply ranges around 300 tonnes, he noted.

“If a decision is taken to ban or reduce exports, it will only be temporary and last for less than 10 days, by which time vegetables from Mafraq and the desert areas are supposed to be in the market,” Haddadin added.

The government official said the ministry will continue monitoring prices of agricultural produce in the market, highlighting that a rise in temperatures forecast for this week will cause vegetables to ripen sooner.

“Vegetables from Mafraq and the desert areas are expected to be in the market by next week, which will cause prices to drop,” the official said.