Iraqi market reopens to Jordanian vegetables

AMMAN — The Iraqi government on Sunday allowed the entry of Jordanian vegetables to the Iraqi market following a two-week suspension for security reasons, according to government officials.

Agriculture Minister Akef Zu’bi said in a statement e-mailed to The Jordan Times that the government’s efforts over the past days have resulted in reopening the Iraqi market for local produce.

Zu’bi expressed hope that the market remains open to Jordanian produce, noting that farmers, exporters and transporters were relieved over the decision.

Ministry Spokesperson Nimer Haddadin said the Kingdom is currently exporting only vegetables to Iraq, namely eggplant, potato, tomato and cucumber.

“The Iraqi border was closed to Jordanian trucks due to security reasons since late last month. Following coordination with the Iraqi government and traders, the market reopened as of today [Sunday],” Haddadin told The Jordan Times.

He underscored that reopening the Iraqi market is timely after Jordan closed its border with Syria last Wednesday for security reasons.

“The reopening will reduce the expected losses that farmers and exporters will incur following the closure of our border with Syria. The surplus of supply in the local market caused prices of vegetables to plummet, thus causing losses to famers and exporters,” Haddadin noted.

Passenger and cargo traffic across Jaber border crossing was halted as a result of escalating violence in the Syrian town of Nasib, near the border.

Jordan’s other border crossing with Syria, Ramtha, has been closed for nearly four years except for humanitarian assistance to the war-torn country in compliance with a UN decision.

Jordan exports annually 90,000 tonnes of fruits and vegetables to Syria, according to the ministry, while the Jordan Exporters and Producers Association for Fruits and Vegetables said the country exports 1,000 tonnes of produce daily.

On Saturday, the Merchants Union of Vegetables and Fruits Exporters said Iraqi authorities returned 75 Jordanian trucks loaded with fruits and vegetables, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Haddadin said the goods were spoiled after the trucks waited for the border to open.

“The farmers knew that the border was closed, yet they took a risk and sent their produce,” he added.

Almost one month ago, the Iraqi government allowed Jordanian fruits and vegetables to enter the country without prior permit, as was the case before, which reduced truck entry fees from $2,000 to $700, according to Petra.