AMMAN: Jordan imported over 2.1 million tonnes of wheat and barley in 2014, valued at around JD437 million, to cater to rising domestic consumption demand, Trade Ministry Spokesperson Yanal Barmawi.Barmawi told The Jordan Times that wheat imports amounted to 1.2 million tonnes, worth some JD255.8 million, while the Kingdom imported 955,000 tonnes of barley at a cost of JD181 million.
The cost of grain imports stood at JD382 million in 2013 as the Kingdom purchased 788,000 tonnes of wheat for JD134 million and 906,000 tonnes of barley worth JD198 million, according to the ministry official.Wheat imports rose by more than 50 per cent in terms of quantity and nearly 90 per cent in terms of cost when compared with 2013, Barmawi noted, adding that grain was cheaper in 2013 than in 2014.
Barley imports increased by 5 per cent in quantity and nearly 10 per cent in cost, according to figures provided by the spokesperson.Barmwai attributed the rise in imports to the continuing influx of Syrian refugees as official figures estimate that around 1.4 million Syrians reside in the Kingdom.Expecting consumption to continue its uptrend this year, the official noted that the ministry floated a tender early this month to purchase 200,000 tonnes of wheat and 200,000 tonnes of barley.
“Jordan hosts large numbers of Syrians and people of other nationalities, and the country is a preferred destination for Arab tourists,” Barmawi said, adding that domestic consumption of the two products is set to go up this year.He noted that the strategic reserve of grain is enough for a period of more than 10 months.Around 10 million people live in the Kingdom, 6.6 million of whom are Jordanians, according to official estimates.Jordanians and non-Jordanians residing in the country benefit from the government’s flour subsidy.
Officials say one kilogramme of bread is sold at JD0.160, while the actual cost on the Treasury is JD0.450 a kilo.The government sells flour to bakeries at JD36 per tonne while its real cost is around JD305 per tonne.Official estimates put the overall value of the flour subsidy at around JD260 million per year.Jordan imports over 96 per cent of its wheat needs as domestic production covers only around 4 per cent of demand.
