Business

AMMAN — The number of agricultural workers covered by the social security reached 18,761 by the end of January 2025, compared with 5,988 workers in 2020, following the implementation of the 2021 Agricultural Workers Law.  

Ministry of Labour Spokesperson Mohammad Zyoud on Sunday said that the number of agricultural holdings covered by social security also rose to 2,009 by the end of January, compared with 313 holdings in 2020, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

Zyoud attributed this increase to the enforcement of the Agricultural Workers Law of 2021, which expanded social security coverage for non-Jordanian agricultural workers and agricultural holdings.  

The law previously only required social security coverage if a holding employed more than three workers, yet recent amendments mandate coverage for all agricultural workers.  

The Ministry of Labour, in coordination with the Social Security Corporation (SSC), aims to enhance worker protection and reduce occupational injury costs for farmers. 

Under the new law, each worker benefits from work injury and maternity insurance, with an annual cost not exceeding JD96 per worker.

Zyoud stressed the ministry's commitment to sustaining the agricultural sector, increasing productivity and making it more attractive for Jordanian workers.  

The 2021 Agricultural Workers Law was introduced to organise the sector and ensure workers’ rights by regulating employment contracts, working hours, rest periods, leave policies, labour inspections and social security coverage.

It also guarantees fair wages, occupational safety, and access to adequate housing to protect workers from work-related hazards and occupational disease.

AMMAN — President of the Zarqa Chamber of Industry (ZCI) Fares Hammoudeh announced a 12 per cent increase in the chamber's exports during February2025, with a total value of $117.1 million, compared to $104.6 million during the same period last year.

In a press statement on Saturday, Hammoudeh noted that the total exports for the first two months of 2025 amounted to $223.5 million, compared to $228.9 million during the same period in 2024, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

He pointed out that exports to North American markets accounted for 46.7 per cent of total exports, amounting to $104.3 million in the first two months of 2025, showing a 3 per cent decrease compared to $107 million during the same period last year.

Exports to the US increased by 0.6 per cent to $101.2 million, compared to $100.6 million during the same period in 2024.

Hammoudeh also noted that the percentage of ZCI exports to Arab countries during the first two months of 2025 accounted for 40.3 per cent of total exports, with a value of $90.2 million, compared to $93.9 million during the same period last year.

He reported that Iraq ranked first among Arab countries importing from ZCI, despite a 6 per cent decline in exports to it, which totalled $31.6 million, compared to $33.6 million during the first two months of 2024.

Saudi Arabia ranked second, with exports to it increasing by 7 per cent, reaching $25.7 million, compared to $24.1 million, while Algeria recorded the highest percentage increase in exports, with a 72 per cent rise, reaching $14.3 million, compared to $8.3 million during the same period last year.

As for non-Arab Asia, exports to these markets during the first two months of 2025 amounted to nearly $12.4 million, making up 5.5 per cent of total exports, and showing a 43 per cent increase compared to $8.7 million last year.

Exports to EU countries declined by 34 per cent to $6.1 million, compared to $9.3 million during the same period in 2024.

AMMAN — The value of industrial exports registered by the Irbid Chamber of Commerce in February was around $77.1 million, recording an increase of 4.1 per cent compared with the same period last year, which stood at $74.4 million.

The number of certificates of origin issued by the chamber also increased to 1,016, compared with 981 certificates during the same period of the previous year, according to a report issued on Sunday by the Irbid Chamber of Commerce.

The leather and knitting industries sectoraccounted for the largest share of total exports of $67.3 million, equivalent to 86.6 per cent of total exports, Al Mamlaka TV reported. 

The catering, food, agricultural and livestock industries came in second place with exports worth $4.1 million, followed by the therapeutic industries and medical supplies sector with exports amounting to$3.8 million.

The data showed that Al Hassan Industrial City was the main source of most exports, accounting for 96 per cent of the total exports registered according to the certificates of origin issued by the chamber, while the share of the Cyber City area did not exceed 3 per cent.

The US maintains the largest importing market for industrial exports from Irbid, accounting for more than half of the total exports, while the share of Arab countries, according to the Arab League agreement, amounted to around 9 per cent of the total exports.

The chamber pointed out that the growth in the volume of exports in February 2025 is mainly due to the increase in exports of the leather and knitting industries sector by 4.4 per cent, which grew from $64.5 million in February 2024 to $ 67.3 million in February 2025. 

Exports of the therapeutic industries, medical supplies, catering and food industries increased by 30 per cent and 20per cent respectively.

AMMAN — The Jordan Valley Authority (JVA) has signed six agreements to transfer the management of water distribution from the authority to water user associations.

The agreements were signed during a meeting with the heads of associations in the area, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

According to a statement issued by the JVA on Saturday, the agreements involve transferring water distribution responsibilities to six coalitions comprising 18 associations.

These associations collectively cover more than 52 per cent of the irrigated land in the Jordan Valley, aiming to enhance water management efficiency, reduce water losses, and maintain irrigation infrastructure. 

The JVA seeks to boost its partnership with the private sector through irrigation agreements designed to improve water management in the Jordan Valley and the Southern Ghor region.

JVA Secretary-General Hisham Haisa stressed the importance of continuously evaluating the performance of these associations using clear indicators to ensure improved water management and better services for farmers. 

He also noted that the authority will continue providing technical and administrative support to the associations, urging them to submit proposals to enhance performance and improve services amid current climate challenges. 

There are 24 water user associations in the Jordan Valley, covering more than 78 per cent of the irrigated land in the area.

AMMAN — The Ministry of Energy's fuel pricing committee on Friday decided to maintain the prices of unleaded 90- and 95-octane gasoline, while lowering the price of diesel for March.

The committee attributed the price adjustments to recent changes in global fuel prices, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

In March, unleaded 90-octane gasoline will continue to be sold at JD0.885 per litre, and unleaded 95-octane gasoline will also continue to be sold JD1.110 per litre.

The price of diesel will decrease to JD0.705 in March, down from JD0.720 per litre in February.

Kerosene prices will remain unchanged at JD0.620 per litre, and the price of the 12.5-kilogramme gas cylinder remains at JD7, as is customary, according to the committee’s decision.

The committee meets monthly to review fuel prices in line with international oil market fluctuations.

Prices of oil derivatives in the local market are calculated based on international prices, in addition to other costs, such as shipping and taxes.

Also on Friday, the Energy and Minerals Regulatory Commission decided to maintain the “differences in fuel prices” category on monthly electricity bills for February at zero fils per kilowatt-hour, Petra added.

AMMAN — Arab Potash Company (APC) Chairman Shehadah Abu Hdaib and CEO Maen Nsour on Thursday discussed aspects for cooperation with French Ambassador Alexis Le Cour Grandmaison during his visit to the company.

The ambassador was briefed on the APC’s strategic plans and its "significant" role in the global fertiliser market, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Abu Hdaib highlighted the "strong" ties between Jordan and France, emphasising the APC’s commitment to expanding collaboration with French companies and exchanging expertise in potash and fertiliser manufacturing.

He noted that the APC is the sole producer of potash in the Arab world and ranks sixth globally.

The company exports over 90 per cent of its output to more than 30 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East, with ongoing investment projects aimed at enhancing its global competitiveness, he added.

Nsour underscored the importance of the French market for APC, revealing that exports to France grew by 40 per cent during 2023 and 2024.

He expressed optimism for further growth and presented an overview of APC’s achievements.

The company is implementing a strategy focused on increasing potash production, expanding specialised fertiliser output, and driving innovation through research and development.

He also highlighted the APC’s commitment to sustainability by adopting environmentally friendly technologies that enhance resource efficiency and support global food security.

Grandmaison commended APC’s development and its role in meeting global fertiliser demand, affirming France’s interest in strengthening economic partnerships with the Kingdom.

He pointed to promising opportunities for deeper cooperation, particularly as France represents a key European market for the APC.

Both sides stressed the need for sustainable solutions to support farmers in addressing climate change and improving agricultural productivity.

They reaffirmed their commitment to ongoing economic dialogue and cooperation to expand trade and investment opportunities between Jordan and France.

AMMAN — The agricultural producer price index rose by 13.9 per cent in January, reaching 88.1 points, compared with 77.4 points in the same month of the previous year.

The Department of Statistics, in its report on agricultural producer prices, attributed this increase to a rise in the prices of several key agricultural products, notably green sweet peppers, hot peppers, and mandarins, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.  

These products accounted for 79 per cent of the overall increase in prices.

On the other hand, the index showed a decline in the prices of several other crops, including grapefruit, cucumbers and green beans, which together made up 21.0 per cent of the total decrease.

The report also highlighted a 18.6 per cent drop in the agricultural producer price index when compared with December 2024, which had a value of 108.2 points.

In comparison, January 2025 saw the index fall to 88.1 points.

When comparing January 2025 with the same month in the previous year, the prices of certain crops, including tomatoes and fennel, saw a decrease, accounting for 62 per cent of the total weight.

Meanwhile, the prices of other crops, such as cucumbers, bananas and white cabbage, saw increases, comprising 38 per cent of the total rise.

AMMAN — Tourism revenue rose by 22.8 per cent in January, reaching $680.5 million, up from $554.2 million in the same month of 2024, according to data released by the Central Bank of Jordan (CBJ) on Wednesday.

The increase was driven by a 22.7 per cent rise in income from Jordanian expatriates, a 20.2 per cent rise from non-Jordanian Arabs and a 30.7 per cent rise from non-Arab visitors, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The data showed a "significant" increase in spending on outbound tourism, which rose by 29.4 per cent to $184.9 million in January 2025, compared to $142.9 million in January 2024.

In 2024, the Kingdom’s tourism revenue amounted to JD7.239 billion, marking a 2.3 per cent decline compared to 2023, according to CBJ data announced in January.

According to the January data, this decrease was attributed to a 3.9 per cent drop in the number of tourists.

The CBJ data also showed an increase in tourism revenue from Jordanian expatriates by 7.7 per cent and from non-Jordanian Arab tourists by 12 per cent.

In contrast, tourism revenue from European, American and other nationalities declined by 54 per cent, 35.2 per cent, and 15.3 per cent, respectively.

An International Monetary Fund report said in June 2024 that the impact of the war on Gaza, which started on October 7, 2023, was concentrated on the tourism sector as a result of the cancellations by tourists from advanced economies, which account for a third of tourism revenues.