Amman, April 27 (Petra) -- The cabinet has approved a draft amendment to the wholesale vegetable and fruit market regulations for 2026, aimed at strengthening oversight and cracking down on unregulated sales outside central markets.

Assistant Secretary-General for Marketing at the Ministry of Agriculture, Khalil Amr, said on Monday the move empowers the Ministry of Local Administration, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Greater Amman Municipality to better regulate trade and ensure quality control.

Amr told the Jordan News Agency (Petra) that the country currently relies on three main central markets in Amman, Irbid, and Zarqa, alongside a temporary transitional market in Deir Alla. The new legal framework updates 2016 regulations to address shifts in modern marketing, including the introduction of electronic platforms for agricultural trade.

A primary driver for the amendment is the high volume of produce bypassing official channels. Amr noted that only 50% to 70% of total national production currently enters central markets. The remainder is often sold illegally on roadsides or directly to retail centers, evading official supply-and-demand pricing mechanisms.

The new regulations also provide a legal framework for municipalities to partner on the construction of central markets. Given the high infrastructure costs, the amendment allows multiple local authorities to share the financial burden and distribute subsequent revenues.

The Ministry of Agriculture will play a key role by activating specialized offices within these markets to monitor product quality and ensure compliance with national standards and specifications.

Furthermore, the updated law eases restrictions on establishing markets outside municipal boundaries. Amr explained that high land costs within city limits have hindered the development of essential support services, such as cold storage, grading, and packaging centers.

By allowing these facilities in production hubs like the southern and eastern regions, including Mafraq, the government aims to reduce transportation costs and improve the cold chain. Officials say these improvements will stabilize prices for local consumers and ensure that Jordanian exports meet the stringent requirements of international markets.

//Petra// AF

27/04/2026 21:15:58