Will Jordan Resort to Importing Olive Oil? Here Are the Local Price Prospects in Numbers

Al-Taj News – By Ghada Al-Khouli

The Head of the Syndicate of Olive Press Owners and Olive Oil Producers, Taysir Al-Najdawi, confirmed that Jordan will not need to import olive oil as long as local production is available, pointing out that the local product meets market needs.

In an interview with “Al-Taj News” on Monday, Al-Najdawi stated that currently traded olive oil prices range between 100, 110, and 120 dinars, considering them reasonable prices, whether in terms of value to the consumer or taking into account production costs that have risen significantly for farmers in Jordan.

He explained that Jordanian olive oil is distinguished by its quality, noting that what he described as the first press is produced in Jordan directly from the “separator,” confirming that this feature gives Jordanian oil a special character in its method of production.

Al-Najdawi stressed that rising production costs have become a heavy burden on farmers, which makes current prices, according to his assessment, appropriate in light of the high costs they bear.

Al-Najdawi added that the nature of the market is subject to the equation of supply and demand; as supply increases, demand declines, noting that he predicted from the beginning of the season that the price of a tin of olive oil would range between 100 and 110 dinars.

Al-Najdawi explained that some areas recorded prices reaching 130 dinars per tin, considering that this price constitutes a burden on citizens and consumers, in light of current living conditions.

He pointed out that press owners take production costs into account, noting that the cost of pressing a kilogram of olives has increased, and that presses are trying to handle prices in a way that contributes to easing the cost of a tin of oil for the consumer.

Al-Najdawi expected olive oil prices to witness a decline during the next seven to ten days, with increased supply in the market, expressing hope that the price per tin would drop to approach 100 to 110 dinars.

For his part, the owner of a press and former member of the Syndicate of Press Owners, Dr. Mahmoud Al-Omari, explained that it is too early to talk about importing quantities of olive oil, given that the season is still in its first quarter, pointing out that imported olive oil is already available in many commercial stores and major institutions.

Al-Omari explained in an interview with “Al-Taj News” that the volume of local olive oil supply is still below the level of demand, given that the season has not yet entered its true momentum phase, expecting actual season activity to begin starting November 15.

He confirmed that increasing production and supply as the season reaches its peak will contribute to providing local “Baladi” olive oil to citizens and meeting their needs, expressing hope that quantities will become available to everyone during the coming period.