Foodstuff traders complain about restrictions imposed on poultry imports

AMMAN – The Agriculture Ministry and food traders on Saturday disagreed over recent restrictions imposed on imported frozen poultry. 

The Foodstuff Traders Association (FTA) complained about restrictions recently imposed by the ministry on quantities of frozen poultry that can be imported into the Kingdom, adding the ministry has also banned imports from several countries. 

An FTA statement e-mailed to The Jordan Times claimed that such measures would harm competition in the domestic market and could also threaten food security in the country. 

The claims were challenged by Agriculture Ministry Spokesperson Nimer Haddadin, who told The Jordan Times that the measures are aimed at protecting the local poultry industry as the Kingdom almost enjoys self-sufficiency in the production of white meat.  

“Jordan produces 85 per cent of its poultry needs,” Haddadin said, adding that restrictions on imports from certain countries are are aimed at protecting the health of consumers. 

The ministry official noted that a joint committee comprising several stakeholders agreed that poultry imports which enter the market should have at least a six-month life span, describing claims that these measures would cause imbalances in the domestic market as inaccurate. 

So far this year, he said, a total of 24,000 tonnes of frozen chicken entered the Kingdom, and this quantity is more than enough to cover consumer needs.

The FTA said the restrictions would harm the interests of importers who have already signed contracts with foreign suppliers. 

Imported white meat has always had a role in maintaining a balance in the market in terms of supply and prices, the FTA statement said. 

Haddadin explained that the ministry bans imports of frozen poultry from countries that suffer diseases related to birds.  

In October of this year, the government banned the import of frozen poultry from Germany due to a case of bird flu that was reported there.

In March, the ministry banned the import of poultry products from several European countries where cases of bird flu were reported.

The ban applies to all poultry products imported from Italy, Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands.