Amman: Jordan's markets witnessed a significant uptick in commercial activity over the weekend and on the first day of Ramadan, as shoppers flocked to purchase essential goods and seasonal items.
According to Jordan News Agency, demand surged for staples such as rice, sugar, oil, poultry, and meat, alongside Ramadan-specific products including nuts, cheeses, pastries, Qamar al-Din (apricots), and traditional sweets such as qatayef. Jamal Amro, representative of the food sector at the Jordan Chamber of Commerce (JCC), described purchasing activity on the first day of Ramadan as normal, with fewer crowds compared to the pre-Ramadan rush. He noted that many consumers were restocking their supplies, especially fresh produce and suhoor essentials, after buying primary necessities the previous week. Amro added that the disbursement of private-sector salaries at the start of the month had driven more shoppers to the markets, though he expected sales to decline notably after the first week of Ramadan.
Bakery Owners Association President Abdul Ilah Hamawi reported strong demand for bread, qatayef, and Ramadan bread, particularly on Thursday and Friday. He noted that demand remained robust on the first day of Ramadan as private-sector employees received their salaries, fueling purchases of traditional sweets. This year's qatayef prices remain unchanged from last year, with the maximum price for regular qatayef set at JD1.15 per kilogram, JD1.40 for smaller asafeeri qatayef, and JD0.40 for Ramadan bread.
Mohammad Qaisi, spokesperson for the Civil Consumer Corporation, said the chain's outlets across Jordan had experienced a notable rise in foot traffic, especially in the days leading up to Ramadan. He highlighted strong demand for seasonal items like nuts, legumes, soups, dates, and apricot paste, alongside essential staples such as cooking oil, rice, and sugar.
Retail executives also reported steady sales. Nabil Fareed, commercial director of Fareed Markets, said purchasing activity had been strong and consistent in the lead-up to Ramadan, with demand concentrated on essential food products, vegetables, cheese, and household goods. Meanwhile, Abdullah Barham, commercial director of Samih Mall, described Ramadan-related sales as excellent, noting high demand for key items like frozen pastries, cheeses, and juices.
The Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Supply has launched an inspection plan extending through Ramadan to ensure price stability and prevent shortages. Ministry spokesperson Yanal Barmawi said inspections will be conducted in two daily shifts, focusing in the first half of Ramadan on monitoring meat, poultry, produce, bakeries, qatayef, and other high-demand food products. Officials will verify price labeling and compliance with listed prices, as well as assess the availability of Arabic bread and Ramadan sweets. In the second half of Ramadan, inspections will expand to include restaurants, clothing, and footwear stores, ensuring compliance with pricing regulations and discount policies. Authorities will also intensify monitoring of home goods and confectionery retailers, sectors that typically see increased demand ahead of Eid.