Retail prices of tomatoes to remain high in October

AMMAN – As consumers have been complaining of rising vegetable prices, an official predicted that retail prices would remain high this month due to change of seasons. 

In remarks to The Jordan Times on Tuesday, consumers complained about the “sharp” increase in vegetable prices, particularly tomatoes, currently sold at around JD1 a kilo, up from between JD0.60 and JD0.70 per kilo in September. 

Omar Karaeen, a retired public sector employee, described the current prices of tomatoes and other agriculture produce as “too expensive”. 

Hasan Mahsiri, another Amman resident, agreed, adding that for many Jordanian consumer prices are high and sometimes unaffordable. 

Both Karaeen and Mahsiri blamed traders for current costs of vegetables. 

Agriculture Ministry Spokesperson Nimer Haddadin, however, attributed the recent rise in prices to low supply on the domestic market as the production season in Mafraq has ended and is only now starting in other areas such as the southern desert and Wadi Mujib. 

Prices will remain high this month, he told The Jordan Times over the phone on Tuesday.

The Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) executive director for markets, Abdul Majeed Odwan, said prices were “much” lower some two months ago, adding that the heat in the Kingdom a few weeks ago negatively affected production. 

In addition to reduced production, the market is also seeing a shortage in supply of quality produce. 

On GAM’s role in controlling prices, he noted that the municipality’s job is only to provide an adequate and safe environment for vendors and producers to showcase their products. 

Asked if there were brokers or middlemen manipulating vegetable prices in the central market, Odwan said no one controls prices and exceptional weather conditions were to blame for the recent hike in costs.