Jordan halts import of Lemons; Agriculture Minister explains why

Agriculture Minister Khaled Hneifat said that the ministry is working toward achieving self-sufficiency in citrus production, particularly lemons, to meet market demand and halt imports.

During a meeting on Monday with the Jordan Valley Citrus Cooperative Association and several citrus farmers, Hneifat said that the goal of self-sufficiency would be achieved through improving the lemon value chain, including post-harvest processes such as cooling, waxing, and storage.

This, he noted, would help cover the gap between demand and supply, particularly from May to mid-August.

He highlighted promising export opportunities for locally-produced citrus, noting that Jordanian produce is distinguished by its quality and flavor.

However, export limitations persist due to challenges in meeting certain market requirements, particularly in sorting, waxing, and refrigeration.

Hneifat also said that the ministry stopped issuing lemon import licenses at the end of July and banned imports after August 20.

The drop in prices, he explained, is due to several factors, including a decrease in consumer purchasing power, leading to lower consumption rates of many crops and goods.

Additionally, the significant expansion of lemon cultivation in northern Jordan Valley regions has resulted in an oversupply, pushing prices down.

It was noted that the daily supply of lemons to local markets stands at around 150 tons, while African lemon imports into the central market this October average no more than 12 tons per day.

Last week, a noticeable increase in the supply of local lemons was reported at central markets in Amman, Irbid, and Zarqa, reaching approximately 350 tons.