Amman: Minister of Agriculture Saeb Khraisat met with the Agricultural Calendar Committee on Tuesday to discuss regulating farm imports to safeguard local producers and maintain stable market prices.
According to Jordan News Agency, Khraisat emphasized that protecting Jordan's agricultural sector remains a "top policy priority." He explained that import decisions, whether granting permits or imposing restrictions, are guided by real-time market data, local harvesting seasons, current supply levels, and consumer demand.
Under the proposed framework, agricultural imports will be restricted during peak domestic production periods when local supply meets market needs, and open only when domestic yields fall short. This strategy is designed to ensure that local producers are not adversely affected by foreign imports during times when their produce can sufficiently supply the market.
The mechanism relies on data gathered across the supply chain, including cultivated land, central market arrivals, cold storage stocks, and export-import trends. This data-driven approach aims to create a responsive system that can adapt to changing conditions.
Committee representatives from farming unions and trade groups expressed agreement on a flexible implementation model. Import timelines will be continuously updated based on weather conditions, yield shifts, and price fluctuations. This approach is intended to ensure market stability and promote the long-term sustainability of the Kingdom's agriculture.