Ammon News - AMMAN (Petra) – The Ministry of Industry, Trade and Supply said on Tuesday that all staple food stuffs were available "in large quantities" surpassing the local market needs while the strategic reserves, too, had been replenished to meet the demand expected to increase during the fasting month of Ramadan which begins tomorrow.

All food commodities were available in great quantities in the market and would prove to be sufficient for a long time as the national strategic reserves were being maintained, the ministry assured, calling on the public to refrain from any frantic buying and asking the merchants not to raise prices before and during the holy month.

"Any excessive buying and unjustified hoarding of commodities would push the traders to raise prices," it cautioned.

Ministry spokesman Yanal Barmawi said in a statement that the ministry's efforts, made as per its ad hoc plan to deal with the situation during the month of Ramadan and in cooperation with the private sector, had resulted in increased food stocks well beyond market demand even as it would keep a close watch on imports and consumption levels to ensure abundance of commodities and avoid "any flaws." Barmawi said legislation governing the market, namely the industry, trade and competitiveness laws, clearly stipulate protection of the consumers and their right to access and acquire commodities as per need at suitable prices.

The ministry vowed to crackdown on runaway prices, posted numbers to register complaints and asked citizens to report any violations while pledging to exercise control over the market by taking steps to fix the price of any commodity, imposing financial fines and referring violators to the judiciary.