Jordan is witnessing a wave of price hikes, especially in food products. Despite actions taken by the government, Jordanian consumers still complain of high prices.
The high prices issue is problematic especially in a country where the minimum wage does not exceed US $220 per month.
The Secretary General of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Maha Ali, said the ministry played a prominent role in maintaining the balance of the local market to prevent "unjustified" price rises. She mentioned that the government's efforts included a reduction in the prices of some commodities.
The Ministry has also issued a pilot bulletin regarding prices, indicating the "fair" wholesale prices for 34 commodities. She explained that food prices have fallen in the wholesale and retail market recently. She added that Jordan had adequate stocks of various commodities, especially basic products. According to her, the yearly consumption of rice and sugar by Jordanians amounts to 240 thousand tons. Moreover, Jordanians consume around 12,000 tons of milk and 3,600 tons of lentils every year.
