Jordan’s food industries exports at about JD647mln in 2023: JCI

Amman: Exports of Jordan's food industries sector during the past year 2023 amounted to about JD647 million, achieving a "remarkable" growth of 10% compared to the year 2022, constituting 8.3% of the total industrial exports, said a stakeholder. In a statement Wednesday, representative of the food, supply and livestock industries sector in Jordan Chamber of Industry (JCI), Mohammad Jitan, said His Majesty King Abdullah II, since assuming his constitutional powers, has given great importance to the Kingdom's food industries to achieve food security and sufficiency. Jitan added that the Kingdom's food industry sector is "key" for its food security, which covers local needs by more than 65%, while some other industries fully reached sufficiency, primarily dairy and cheese products, meat, poultry, and table eggs, packaging, water, beverages , bakeries and confectionery products. Jitan said the sector's production volume has achieved "remarkable" growth over the past two decades, as the value of production went up from approximately JD675 million during the year 1999, to reach JD4 billion today, representing approximately 20% of the total industrial production. Jitan indicated that this period witnessed an increase in the added value created by the sector by more than 5 folds, compared to the past, reaching more than JD1.6 billion, which is more than 40% of the sector's production added value that directly flows into the Kingdom's gross domestic product, as the sector constitutes 6% of the total national economy. Additionally, he said the total volume of investments within the sector amounts to more than JD1.5 billion, bringing the number of operating establishments from about 364 businesses about two and a half decades ago, to reach 2,700 establishments today, employing more than 67,000 workers, of whom are 90% Jordanians. Jitan, who also holds position of JCI's Vice Chairman, said exports from the food industry sector have reached 111 markets across the world, with the largest share head to Arab markets and the Gulf countries. Jitan stated that the sector possesses untapped export opportunities estimated at approximately JD1.4 billion to various global markets. Source: Jordan News Agency