'Consumer corporation to reduce prices of 48 basic food items for Ramadan'

AMMAN — The prices of 48 basic food items at the Civil Service Consumer Corporation (CSCC) will be reduced by 5 to 20 per cent during the fasting month of Ramadan, an official said Saturday.

Similar to previous years during the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, and in line with government directives, the CSCC decided to lower the prices of basic commodities and food items popular in Ramadan at its branches across Jordan.

"This measure aims at alleviating the burden on consumers and it includes commodities in demand during the holy month, such as sugar, rice, oils, milk, dates, lentils and nuts," CSCC Director General Salman Qudah told The Jordan Times.

He noted that the corporation already sells commodities at lower prices than the market.

"The corporation sells its goods at cost price. Profit is not our goal," Qudah said.

The main markets are located in Ain Ghazal, Ras Al Ain, Jweideh, Al Sarou, Jubilee, Bayader, Madaba, Irbid, Zarqa and Ruseifa.

Last week, Prime Minister Hani Mulki instructed Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs and Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply Jawad Anani to ensure that his ministry monitors prices of essential commodities, especially during Ramadan, when prices sometimes rise due to rising demand.

Consumption of food and beverages rises sharply during the fasting month due to the change in eating habits, as Muslims abstain from eating and drinking from dawn to sunset.

The ministry's spokesperson, Yanal Barmawi, said the prices and quality of food items during the month, expected to start on Monday or Tuesday depending on the sighting of the crescent moon, will be "closely monitored" in cooperation with the Jordan Standards and Metrology Organisation and the Jordan Food and Drug Administration.

"Inspectors will carry out field visits to all markets to avoid any manipulation," he told The Jordan Times.

In previous remarks, the ministry urged consumers to report any violations in prices and to ration consumption.