Demand for bread, fuel rises despite warnings against ‘overstocking’

AMMAN — Consumers continued to queue at gas stations and bakeries, although sector leaders confirmed on Wednesday that basic commodities will be available during the harsh weather conditions expected to start on Thursday.

The demand on bread rose by 50 per cent over the daily average on Tuesday and it started to slow down at 3am, Bakery Owners Association President Abdul Ilah Hamawi told The Jordan Times over the phone.

Hamawi also said that people started queuing since early Wednesday, adding that the majority of them purchased large amounts of bread in preparation for the polar front, which is expected to bring rain and snow in some areas.

"People should have a high degree of awareness and not buy more than their needs. We should learn from our mistakes," he warned.

In February, consumption of bread rose eightfold during a snowstorm, as consumers bought some 65 million loaves, a quantity sufficient to feed 25 million people.

"We have a firm plan in place, in cooperation with the Ministry of Industry and Trade to secure the needs of consumers," Hamawi noted, and all bakeries will be open around the clock to serve them.

Gas Station Owners Association President Fahed Al Fayez said the demand on gas cylinders is higher than other products such as diesel and kerosene due to the expected decrease in prices on Friday.

The prices of fuel products for January are expected to be announced on Thursday. A government pricing committee meets monthly to adjust prices in a manner that corresponds to changes in oil prices on the international market. 

"I believe that the demand on diesel and kerosene will be very high on Friday. All of these items are available in the market," Fayez noted, urging customers to be patient if there are any shortages.

Commenting on consumers' urge to buy more bread and fuel ahead of expected emergencies, Assistant Professor of Psychology at Philadelphia University Adnan Toubasi said it is a reflection of how some people cope with expectations.

Those who have a high degree of anxiety and stress do not behave in a reasonable way, Toubasi explained, while people who are psychologically more stable can deal smoothly with it.

The expert told The Jordan Times that the way people deal with such emergencies is connected to feelings of contentment, as opposed to selfishness. 

People who are more satisfied can cooperate and buy only what they need, he added.