AMMAN — Head
of the Jordan Famers Union Mahmoud Al-Oran predicted lower prices for local
sheep meat across the Kingdom if Georgian meat were to enter the Jordanian
market, according to Ad-Dustour.
اضافة اعلان
Oran stated on Sunday
that imported Georgian meat may reduce local meat prices at least by 5 percent,
and this drop in prices would continue over a period of time.
He noted that the
price of local meat currently stands at JD8-9 per 1kg, and since Georgian sheep
share similar characteristics as local sheep but will be sold at lower prices,
consumers would opt for the less pricey option — at JD3 per 1kg.
“In 2015, some traders used to sell Georgian
meat as local meat,” he said.
Oran said he was
surprised that Georgian sheep are more desirable for Jordanians, and wondered
if this is due to media promotion, adding that the imminent imports will negatively
affect local farmers and livestock breeders “at a time when they are already
suffering due to high fodder prices and drought.”
Last week the Ministry
of Agriculture lifted a ban on the import of Georgian sheep but on certain
conditions, one of which is to have the tail fat removed to differentiate it
from local sheep.
Minister of Agriculture
Khalid Hanifat warned last week against any violations of the terms and
conditions placed on the imports, saying penalties would involve withdrawing an
importer’s license and guarantees and stopping imports.
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