According to ELZUBI, food in times of crisis is more than a basic commodity—it becomes a measure of public reassurance. Consumer behavior, he explains, shifts between confidence and anxiety depending on how clear the economic outlook appears. Despite regional tensions, Jordan has shown institutional strength in managing food supplies, relying on strategic planning and proactive measures to safeguard continuity.

Current indicators, ELZUBI notes, are reassuring: wheat reserves cover around ten months, barley about nine months, and other essential foodstuffs between two and a half to four months. This readiness stems from lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, which tested the country’s ability to secure imports despite global shipping restrictions. Ongoing shipments through Aqaba Port continue to reinforce stability.

Still, complexities remain. The timing and cost of imports are not fully predictable, especially if regional tensions escalate or maritime routes are disrupted. Jordan’s reliance on a single major seaport means any disturbance could pressure supply chains, even with adequate reserves.

Government measures have sought to ease these risks—facilitating land-based imports, reducing shipping costs, and tightening market oversight to prevent monopolies. Importers’ diversification of sourcing, particularly from nearby countries, is described by ELZUBI as a “healthy response” that supports market stability.

Ultimately, ELZUBI stresses that the challenge is not food availability but affordability. Rising global shipping and insurance costs may gradually filter into local markets, affecting consumers’ purchasing power. Food security, he argues, is inseparable from living standards, income, and employment. Availability alone does not guarantee access if households cannot afford to buy.