Jordan has prohibited the import of olive oil
The Ministry of Agriculture has prohibited the import of olive oil, for this year at least, having decided that there is more than enough locally produced olive oil to cover the market needs, and opening the local market to imports of this product would depress local prices and undermine the sustainability of local olive oil producers, making it near impossible for them to make ends meet.
The policy is consistent with the one used vis-à-vis the agricultural produce from neighbouring countries, including the West Bank, which is to turn imports on and off, depending on the national circumstances.
While it may make sense, to a certain degree, in the case of imports, be they of industrial or agricultural products, from most markets, the import of goods from the West Bank, including olive oil, warrants a different treatment, at least to some extent.
The economy of the Palestinians is very closely connected with Jordan; it depends on the Jordanian market to survive the rigours of the Israeli occupation, and a blanket policy discouraging Palestinian products renders their life and steadfastness much more difficult.
[Full article here | Photo by Isabelle Puaut]
