Tenders floated for wheat, barley import to meet rising demand

AMMAN — Jordan on Thursday announced tenders to buy 240,000 metric tonnes of wheat and barley amidst rising demand, an official said on Thursday.

The Ministry of Industry, Trade and Supply floated a tender to buy 120,000 metric tonnes of wheat from various origins. The deadline for bids is June 6th, an official at the ministry told The Jordan Times on Thursday.

"Demand on wheat in Jordan is rising amidst a large number of refugees in the country," the official said.

Since the arrival of Syrian refugees, Jordan’s wheat consumption has risen from 50,000 to 80,000 tonnes per month. 

"Jordan's current wheat reserve is reassuring and sufficient for more than 11 months," the official said, adding that after ending the bread subsidy early this year, the government allowed the private sector to import wheat for production of flour in line with certain conditions.

According to official figures, there are some 1.3 million Syrian refugees, representing around 20 per cent of the country's population.

The official said the ministry also floated a tender to buy 120,000 metric tonnes of barley.

"Bids for the barley tender are to be accepted until June 5th,” he said.

Shipping for barley and wheat is needed for September and October of this year, the official said.

According to the ministry's figures, Jordan consumes around 55,000 tonnes of barley per month.