Jordan Secures Seamless Wheat and Barley Imports Amidst Tensions in the Red Sea

In the midst of escalating tensions in the Red Sea, Yanal Barmawi, the spokesperson for Jordan’s Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Supply, reassured that more than 90% of the country’s wheat and barley imports remain unaffected. Barmawi explained that these crucial imports are primarily transported by sea from various Eastern European nations, including Romania and Montenegro. The shipping route involves navigating through the Suez Canal and ultimately reaching Aqaba port.

However, disruptions in Red Sea shipping have prompted the suspension of several operations, leading shippers to reroute their shipments and explore alternative adaptations and routes, as disclosed by Barmawi to The Jordan Times.

Addressing the challenges posed by the escalating tensions in the Red Sea, Transport Minister Wisam Tahtamouni convened with representatives from the Amman Chamber of Industry (ACI) on Sunday. The objective of the meeting was to explore alternative routes for sea freight to both Europe and the United States. Tahtamouni underscored the urgency of finding solutions amidst the increasing freight prices, a consequence of the heightened tensions in the Bab Al Mandeb Strait. This critical waterway is situated between Yemen on the Arabian Peninsula and Djibouti and Eritrea on the African coast.

Tahtamouni revealed that 65% of Jordan’s imports pass through the Bab Al Mandeb Strait. ACI President Fathi Jaghbir emphasized the potential adverse effects on Jordan’s imports and exports should the strait remain closed due to the ongoing tensions.

The minister also highlighted a prior agreement between Jordan and Egypt approximately two years ago. This agreement aimed to establish an alternative freight route connecting Mediterranean ports, featuring special privileges and facilities. The significance of this alternative route becomes more pronounced amid the current geopolitical tensions.

International news outlets have reported that the Bab Al Mandeb Strait serves as a key global shipping route, with over 17,000 ships passing through it. The ongoing tensions in this strategic waterway are considered a major setback to global trade.

Providing insights into the significance of the situation, figures released by the ministry indicate that the average monthly consumption of flour suitable for bread in Jordan is nearly 52,000 tonnes, equivalent to 1,750 tonnes of flour per day. To ensure the stability of the country’s wheat stock, currently standing at around 810,000 tonnes, the ministry has recently floated a tender for the purchase of an additional 120,000 tonnes of wheat. This strategic move aims to fortify the country’s wheat reserves and maintain a robust supply chain amid geopolitical uncertainties.

Tags: barley, wheat, imports, Jordan