Food security expert Dr. Fadel ELZUBI stated that Jordan maintains a strategic grain reserve sufficient for nearly ten months, a level consistent with international standards that define the safe minimum between six and twelve months.
ELZUBI told Al-Rai that while this situation is positive, it is not without structural challenges. Specialized studies indicate that nearly one-third of wheat and grain imports are wasted due to shortcomings in the storage system and unsustainable consumption patterns. This waste represents a fundamental challenge that requires a dual intervention: upgrading storage infrastructure and raising consumer awareness to encourage more rational dietary behavior.
He explained that self-sufficiency levels in Jordan vary across agricultural sectors. In livestock, local production of red meat covers only 40% of total consumption, while poultry and table eggs achieve full self-sufficiency at 100%, with a surplus covering an additional four months. In the plant sector, local vegetables meet about 90% of domestic demand, while fruit self-sufficiency stands at around 75%.
ELZUBI noted that local agricultural production contributes between 60% and 65% of total food consumption. This reflects a reasonable productive capacity but also reveals gaps that require systematic solutions.
He emphasized that essential commodities such as sugar, rice, vegetable oils, and milk form a sensitive axis in Jordan’s food security system. Each has reserves covering several months, yet the heavy reliance on imports—particularly for vegetable oils and powdered milk—makes these commodities vulnerable to global market fluctuations.
He pointed out that the daily monitoring system of reserves by government agencies helps reduce the risk of shortages and strengthens supply stability in the local market.
ELZUBI stressed that achieving sustainable food security requires integrated policies, including expanding investment in modern irrigation technologies, developing high-yield crop varieties, and supporting the livestock sector by controlling feed costs and increasing production capacity.
He also underscored the importance of modernizing government warehouses, implementing advanced tracking systems to ensure efficient stock management and reduce losses, and enhancing coordination among agriculture, industry, trade, and transport sectors to build a more efficient supply chain capable of responding to crises.
In conclusion, ELZUBI affirmed that Jordan possesses a relatively solid food base in terms of reserves and local production. However, sustaining food security depends on addressing grain waste, expanding domestic production—particularly in meat and oils—and fostering a culture of rational consumption. He clarified that food security is not measured solely by the size of reserves, but by the efficiency of management, the quality of agricultural policies, and the resilience of supply chains in the face of global economic shifts.