Amman, Feb 10 (Petra) - Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply Yarub Qudah on Tuesday evening opened the activities of the 10th Jordan International Food Exhibition (Jordan Food), held at Amman's Mecca Mall, with local and international participation.
Acting on behalf of the Prime Minister, Qudah toured the exhibition’s pavilions, organized by the international promoters company for marketing and organizing exhibitions (IPCO), coinciding with the advent of the holy month of Ramadan. He reviewed the advanced level reached by Jordan’s food industry.
Qudah stressed the importance of exhibitions in marketing Jordanian products, noting that the local market is of great importance to domestic products and that exhibitions serve as a gateway for high-quality goods to enter Arab and global markets.
He pointed out that most participating companies are Jordanian, adding that the exhibition’s continuity for the tenth time provides national products with an incentive to enhance their competitiveness and quality.
On Ramadan commodity prices, Qudah said the ministry monitors prices daily and tracks the market, explaining that price increases or decreases depend on various factors, most notably global prices. Whether products are locally manufactured or imported as final goods or raw materials, their prices largely depend on international markets.
He said the ministry’s role is to ensure that local market prices are in line with global levels and that there is no unjustified price inflation.
Qudah affirmed the availability of goods at reasonable prices, noting that 65% of basic food items have not seen any increase, 20% have declined, and 15% have risen by between 5% and 7%, which he described as insignificant.
He said monitoring would be intensified during Ramadan, with a dedicated observatory tracking food prices daily.
Qudah said Jordan’s strategic food reserves exceed the required safety level. While most countries maintain reserves for two months, Jordan’s reserves cover more than two months for most commodities, with some lasting three to four months. Wheat reserves, a key strategic commodity, cover nine months.
IPCO Director General Raed Abu Saada said the exhibition is an important national event that consistently focuses on local industries, offering citizens and visitors an opportunity to view their advanced standards, as well as the quality and diversity of Jordan’s food imports.
He said Jordan will always remain a hub for business and trade and an oasis of security and stability, adding that his company is committed to organizing the exhibition regularly due to its role in promoting Jordanian industries and highlighting their quality and status, alongside private sector efforts to supply the local market.
Abu Saada said the exhibition will be open daily from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. for five days, with free entry and direct sales to the public.
The exhibition serves as an important platform for companies seeking entry into the Jordanian market, enabling them to understand local market characteristics and consumer preferences.
//Petra// AF
