His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday directed the government to study producing food items locally, in coordination with local companies and factories, to ensure sufficient strategic reserves under all circumstances, and to increase local production.
 
During a visit to the Civil Service Consumer Corporation warehouses, King Abdullah, accompanied by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II, stressed the importance of enhancing the strategic reserves of food items, and ensuring the safety and quality of these products, in line with the highest standards.
 
His Majesty directed the government to devise a plan to maintain the continuation of food supplies and the Kingdom's strategic stock, calling on all the concerned sectors to prepare for the holy month of Ramadan, and to cover consumers’ needs of basic food items around Jordan.
 
The King listened to a briefing by Minister of Trade, Industry, and Supply Tariq Hammouri, who said food reserves are sufficient and within safe levels.
 
Hammouri added that the level of basic commodities is monitored and evaluated regularly, noting that the ministry is prepared for all possibilities, including worst-case scenarios such as an inability to import goods.
 
The minister stressed that the Kingdom's strategic reserves of basic food items, such as rice, sugar, and wheat, are sufficient, in addition to the local production of poultry and produce.
 
He added that wok is underway to prepare for the upcoming fasting month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, when consumption typically rises in the Kingdom.
 
For his part, Civil Service Consumer Corporation Director Salman Qudah said quality products are provided at the corporation’s 67 markets, at reasonable prices, after being subjected to lab tests.
 
He noted that the corporation is working to maintain strategic reserves that cover demand for five to six months, focusing on buying national products.
 
Military Service Consumer Corporation Director Brig. Gen. Ayman Batran said the corporation provides basic commodities to the public at its 110 markets and maintains strategic reserves to cover consumer needs around the Kingdom’s regions.