Jordan moves to secure wheat, olive oil amid production decline

 Jordan has intensified efforts to bolster food security and stabilize local markets through new wheat purchases and olive oil import measures following sharp domestic production declines.

The state grains buyer has reportedly purchased about 60,000 metric tons of hard milling wheat from trading house Cargill at US$262.50 per ton (cost and freight included), traders said after an international tender held on Tuesday.

The shipment is scheduled for the first half of February 2026 and will be sourced from optional origins.

Other global trading firms also participated in the tender, with offers per ton c&f from CHS (US$265.90), Bunge (US$273), Ameropa (US$272.47) and Cofco (US$267.11).

The final figures remain subject to confirmation, as traders continue to assess prices and volumes.

Meanwhile, a separate tender for 120,000 tons of animal feed barley is set to close on November 11, reflecting Jordan’s ongoing procurement drive to maintain strategic reserves amid market volatility.

At the same time, the Ministry of Agriculture announced on Sunday that it will allow the import of an initial 4,000 tonnes of olive oil, a move aimed at offsetting this year’s poor harvest and ensuring price stability.

The ministry said the quantity could be increased after assessing local market needs. Secretary General Mohammad Hayari stated that import priority will go to the Military Consumers Corporation, Civil Service Consumers Corporation, Syndicate of Olive Press Owners, Farmers Union, and compliant private sector companies.

Hayari emphasized that imports will be sourced exclusively from member states of the International Olive Council (IOC), including Turkey, Greece, Tunisia, Italy, Spain, and Morocco, to guarantee high-quality standards.

Imports will mainly be limited to containers of up to four kilograms, except for the Syndicate of Olive Press Owners, which can import containers of up to eight kilograms to regulate retail distribution and prevent market manipulation.

According to the Department of Statistics (DoS), Jordan’s olive oil production as of November 1 stood at just 1,419 tonnes, compared with a historical average of 2,542 tonnes between 2012 and 2025.

The output marks a steep decline from 35,828 tonnes recorded in 2024, well below the country’s typical annual average of 25,000 tonnes.

The ministry attributed the downturn to adverse weather conditions and poor rainfall, which have affected olive yields across key producing regions.

Tags: wheat, flour, Jordan