"Jordan: Produce prices plummet to "unprecedented" levels"
The production surplus coupled with a slump in exports to neighbouring markets caused by regional instability, had sent the prices of vegetables plummeting to "unprecedented" levels, according to Hammad.
He said tomato prices in the local market had plunged to JD0.07 per kilogram and cucumber, eggplant, cauliflower and courgette prices had hit the low of JD0.10-0.15 per kilo. Tomato prices in the same season in previous years were around JD0.40.
However, Hammad said lemon and potato prices had soared as one kilo of lemons is sold at around JD2.00 and the average price of one kilo of potatoes is JD0.50, a rise he attributed to rising prices in the countries of origin and high import costs. Hammad appealed to all stakeholders, including the agriculture and transport ministries, to remove all impediments to farm exports to avert further declines in their prices and to "guarantee a minimum cost price for farmers". "Unless and until the amounts exported abroad are increased, the prices will continue to be less than the average at this time of year", he explained.
Source: petra.gov.jo
