Ministry of Agriculture: No need to import olive oil

- Ministry of Agriculture: Expected surplus in olive oil production during the current season

The Director of the Olive Directorate at the Ministry of Agriculture, Osama Qattan, stated that ministry estimates indicate the Kingdom's olive oil production will reach about 30,000 tons during the current season, compared to a local demand estimated at about 25,000 tons, pointing to a likely surplus in production.

Qattan added on Thursday that the current season is promising and abundant, affirming that the ministry is monitoring production developments in coordination with field agriculture directorates.

Regarding the seizure of quantities of imported olive oil prepared for sale as Jordanian olive oil, Qattan explained that the incident represents an isolated case associated with a trader and does not reflect the reality of the Jordanian olive sector.

He said that what happened was a "fraud operation" consisting of selling imported olive oil as local domestic olive oil, noting that security authorities and the Jordan Food and Drug Corporation handled the case and took legal measures against the violators.

Qattan stressed that there is continuous year-round coordination between the Ministry of Agriculture, the Jordan Food and Drug Corporation, the Royal Department for Environmental Protection, other regulatory and testing authorities, and the Olive Press Owners Syndicate, to monitor everything related to olive oil.

National festival at the end of November

Qattan pointed out that the Ministry of Agriculture intends to hold the National Olive Oil Festival at the end of next November and beginning of December, to allow citizens to buy olive oil and its products.

Regarding prices, he explained that determining them is linked to supply, demand, competition, and quality, noting that prices at the beginning of the season are usually relatively different from the subsequent stages of the season.

No need for import and export under study

Regarding import and export, Qattan said that importing olive oil is not currently on the table, given the expectations of an abundant season that covers local market needs.

He added that the issue of exporting Jordanian olive oil is still under study at the Ministry of Agriculture, indicating that the decision will be made during the coming days or weeks, based on available data and priorities that take into account the needs of citizens.