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The olive harvest season in Jordan has evolved into a major economic pillar, with total investments exceeding 1 billion JOD ($1.4 billion), according to the National Agricultural Research Center. For over 250,000 Jordanian families, the season is a vital source of income, encompassing a complex value chain from cultivation and harvesting to pressing and marketing.
Official data from the Department of Statistics indicates that the value of olive oil produced during the 2024 season reached approximately 223.9 million JOD ($316 million). The kingdom boasts 11 million olive trees covering 600,000 dunams, supported by 148 modern olive presses. Tayseer Al-Najdawi, head of the Syndicate of Jordanian Olive Oil Press Owners, expects fruit production to reach 220,000 tons, yielding approximately 30,000 tons of olive oil, with Irbid and Mafraq leading the production charts.
Regarding market balance, Osama Qattan, Director of the Olive Directorate at the Ministry of Agriculture, noted that domestic consumption is estimated at 25,000 tons. This places the expected surplus at 5,000 tons for the current season. However, early season prices have seen an uptick, reaching 115-120 JOD per 16-liter tin. Experts attribute this to climate-induced delays in harvesting and high initial demand relative to the current market supply.
Production costs remain a challenge for farmers, ranging between 75 and 80 JOD per tin due to rising labor, fuel, and logistics costs. In response, Jordan has temporarily halted olive oil exports to prioritize domestic food security and stabilize local prices. Authorities, in collaboration with the Jordan Food and Drug Administration, continue to monitor market quality, urging consumers to purchase through certified mills and official national festivals to ensure product authenticity.
Source: Al Jazeera Net