Trade Ministry intensifies food price monitoring as Ramadan approaches

AMMAN — The Ministry of Industry, Trade and Supply assured that there are no monopolistic practices in the local market, Ministry Spokesperson Yanal Barmawi told The Jordan Times on Thursday.

Reviewing the ministry’s preparations for the holy month of Ramadan, Barmawi said that “the ministry will intensify the monitoring of markets to ensure that food items are available at affordable prices during the fasting month of Ramadan”. 

Barmawi added that the ministry will not support any market manipulation or price increase. 

The minister emphasised that the ministry increased the number of employees to monitor the market to 500 in cooperation with the Ministry of Interior, who began their duties two weeks ago.

Many supermarkets and hypermarkets have already reduced the prices of certain food items and have started implementing Ramadan sales and discounts. 

This facilitates the enjoyment of Ramadan, as people can worry less about extra expenses Mahmoud Sarairah, a supermarket owner, told The Jordan Times.

Additionally, Sarairah said “there are offers up to 30 per cent in the market and maybe more to encourage the public to prepare for Ramadan”.

“The Industry Ministry is continuously keeping the prices in check, as traders and retailers we assure that,” added Waleed Ali, supermarket owner. 

Ali said that his Ramadan offers and discounts began a week ago, and until now there have been no price increases.