AMMAN — Jordan’s annual import of dates stand at 4,000 tonnes, the majority of which comes from Saudi Arabia, Foodstuff Traders Association President Khalil Haj Tawfiq said on Sunday.

 

In an interview with the Jordan News Agency, Petra, he added that the Kingdom imports more than 15 types of dates, whose prices range between JD1.8 and JD7 for one kilogramme, noting that local dates have lately become a chief competitor of Saudi dates. Haj Tawfiq noted that 40 per cent of the Kingdom’s consumption of dates occurs during Ramadan.

 

Agriculture Ministry Spokesperson Nimer Haddadin said that date planting has developed in Jordan and become competitive to other imported types. Around 35,000 dunums are planted with dates in Jordan, producing 30,000 tonnes annually.