Oversupply Rocks Jordan Olive Oil Industry
Farmers and olive oil proÂducÂers in Jordan are upset about illeÂgally imported olive oil floodÂing the marÂket from neighÂborÂing counÂtries like Syria, causÂing finanÂcial strugÂgles for local proÂducÂers. The govÂernÂment is being urged to crack down on illeÂgal imports and proÂmote locally proÂduced olive oil to help the strugÂgling indusÂtry and preÂvent furÂther ecoÂnomic damÂage.
By Nicole Arriaga | Reporting from Rome
Farmers and olive oil proÂducÂers in Jordan are up in arms over the lack of conÂtrol of what they believe to be illeÂgally imported olive oil into the counÂtry. The Jordan Times is reportÂing that the influx of imported olive oil from neighÂborÂing counÂtries such as Syria is creÂatÂing bad busiÂness for local proÂducÂers and putting a damper on the local econÂomy. Ahmad Saadoun, owner of the Al Amin Oil Presses Group said indiÂvidÂual traders are bringÂing in more than the legal limit of imported olive oil than what’s allowed, leavÂing local farmÂers and proÂducÂers with an overÂsupÂply of their own stock that they are then unable to sell. This, he says enables traders to make a quick turn around with the imported olive oil by sellÂing it at a cheaper rate at superÂmarÂkets while reapÂing the profÂits.
Traders are able to sell the imported oil at a much cheaper rate, Saadoun claims, because the qualÂity is poorer than the domesÂtic olive oil proÂducÂtion. Experts say Jordan’s finanÂcial probÂlems aren’t helpÂing matÂters either. With the local econÂomy facÂing such turÂmoil, the overÂsupÂply is driÂving conÂsumers to opt for the least expenÂsive olive oil rather than choosÂing for qualÂity. Without betÂter conÂtrol over illeÂgal imports, local farmÂers will conÂtinue to cut their losses or worse, quit the indusÂtry altoÂgether.
According to Ezzeldin Faqir, a shareÂholder with the Al Barakeh Olive Oil Press in the Ajloun Governorate, illeÂgal imports of olive oil have affected over 122 olive oil presses and farmÂers throughÂout Jordan. If the govÂernÂment doesn’t interÂvene soon to relieve the sitÂuÂaÂtion, he says the country’s econÂomy which relies heavÂily on locally proÂduced olive oil, could cause the local indusÂtry to crumÂble.
Olive Products Exporters Association founder Musa Saket met with the Minister of Agriculture this week to disÂcuss the probÂlems that local proÂducÂers are facÂing. The minÂisÂter vowed to take extra meaÂsures to ensure that the govÂernÂment is doing all it can to crack down on the illeÂgal trade. Industry leadÂers told the Jordan Times that they urged authorÂiÂties to take their promise one step furÂther. They would like to see Jordan put a temÂpoÂrary hold on all imported olive oil and proÂmote what’s locally proÂduced to hopeÂfully put the country’s olive oil indusÂtry back on track.
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