Food prices continue to decline, says Shamali

AMMAN — Local food prices have continued their recovery, as prices of various items witnessed a decline during October, Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply Yousef Shamali said on Monday. 

Shamali noted that the price decreases occurred as a result of the decline in global prices as well as government measures taken to address the price surges of basic good. Crude oil prices have also fallen, which has reduced production and transportation costs.

Citing a comparative study conducted by the ministry over the prices of 153 food commodities in September and October, the results showed that the prices of 144 food commodities either dropped or remained stable, according to Shamali.

The prices of 68 commodities, including vegetable oils, marked an overall drop of 6 per cent. Soybean oil decreased by 7.5 per cent, corn oil by 5 per cent, sunflower oil by 6 per cent and palm oil by 3 per cent. Meat and poultry prices showed a decrease of 8 per cent, rice dropped 4.5 per cent and sugar decreased 3.5 per cent, he noted, adding that the prices of several vegetables also went down.

The prices of 76 commodities, including dairy products, remained stable, he said.

The ministry called on the public to report any violations in local markets by calling the ministry’s hotline at 065661176, or by contacting the ministry's official Facebook account at www.facebook.com/mit.gov.jo, or by emailing info@mit.gov.jo.