Egypt’s increased fish export tax leaves Jordan on the hook

AMMAN – The recent decision by Egypt to impose a 12,000 Egyptian pound fee (JD472.8) on each tonne of exported fish will have dire consequences for the local Jordanian market, according to a food expert. 

In a recent move, Egyptian authorities decided to impose taxes on the country’s fish exports for several months, in a bid to balance the hike in the commodity’s prices following an increase in the volume of fish exports. 

“The decision includes Jordan, which imports fresh and saltwater fish from Egypt. The new move will increase prices of Egyptian fish, which constitute 30 per cent of the fish in the local market, by 15 to 30 per cent,” Foodstuff Traders Association President Khalil Haj Tawfiq told The Jordan Times on Monday. 

He noted that the imposed taxes will increase price of freshwater fish, which is mainly consumed by Egyptians in Jordan, by JD0.7 per kilo, which he said will affect the sale price, and in turn the demand.

Haj Tawfiq said the Ministry of Trade and Industry promised to discuss the issue with the Egyptian authorities this week in an attempt to secure the Kingdom’s exemption from the decision.   

“Jordan only imports 3,000 tonnes of fish each year from Egypt, which exports more than 1.6 million tonnes of fish globally each year. Exempting Jordan from the new decision will not have a major impact on Egypt. We hope that our request will be considered by the Egyptian side,” he said.

The association president indicated that Egypt has excluded the European Union from its new decision, expressing hope for a similar move towards Jordan.