Study shows drop in vegetable prices; consumers ‘did not notice’

AMMAN — A study conducted recently by the Trade Ministry showed that the price of nine vegetables dropped, while the cost of four others rose during the first week of February compared to the last week of January. 

The drop in prices was between 1 and 10 per cent, while the increase ranged between 2 and 12 per cent, according to the study, which was made available to The Jordan Times. 

The decrease covered the prices of items such as onions, local and imported potatoes, and tomatoes; while the increase was reflected in the price of carrots, lemons and imported onions. 

Consumers interviewed by The Jordan Times said they did not notice a great difference in vegetable prices.

Anas Khouli, a salesman, said he only noticed a slight drop in the price of tomatoes, adding that vegetables tend to be expensive these days. 

“Vendors sell their goods the way they like. Sometimes, I am forced to go to places far from my home to buy vegetables at affordable prices,” he added. 

Ameen Adawi, a public sector employee, said he faces the same problem.

Noting that he read about this study on local news websites, Adawi said he did not feel that prices had gone down.

“Grocers change prices on a whim. You can’t find a fixed price anywhere. I find different prices in every store and area I visit.”

Osama Afif agreed, adding that vegetables are only affordable at malls or big shopping centres.

“Only supermarkets have promotions that enable us to buy the items we want. Without these sales, we would never be able to buy what we want,” he said.

Jordan Exporters and Producers Association for Fruits and Vegetables President Zuhair Jweihan confirmed that the prices of some vegetables dropped during the past weeks. 

“Most prices decreased and I have not seen any increase in prices.”

Jweihan attributed the drop to the abundance in local vegetable production. 

“Many producers do not export their vegetables to neighbouring countries because of the unstable situation in the region, which results in providing the local market with a great amount of produce. This contributed to lowering the prices of vegetables,” he added.