Amman: His Majesty King Abdullah II has called for a proactive approach to bolster the kingdom's food security by ensuring strategic food reserves remain sufficient and safe to cover national needs for extended periods. This initiative involves continuously monitoring markets, supply chains, domestic production, and inventory management while preparing to address price increases that may precede, accompany, or follow crises.
According to Jordan News Agency, the directive emerged after King Abdullah chaired a meeting to review government measures aimed at strengthening energy and food security. The approach underlines that food security extends beyond the availability of commodities to building adequate and secure strategic reserves; continuously monitoring markets, domestic production, and supply chains; and developing proactive plans to ensure sustainable supplies and enhance Jordan's ability to manage crises and their repercussions before, during, and after they occur.
Minister of Agriculture Saeb Khraisat informed that the king reviewed government measures to safeguard food security, including proactive planning, inventory management, and the importance of partnership with the private sector. He stated that the king emphasized that food reserves must remain sufficient, continuously available, safe, and of high quality.
Khraisat further elaborated that the Higher Council for Food Security holds regular meetings to continuously update plans to secure strategic reserves at reasonable prices. Jordan has achieved self-sufficiency in several agricultural commodities, including fruits and vegetables, with production of some items reaching 119% of domestic demand, thereby supporting farmers through surplus exports. Agricultural exports rose 18% in the first half of 2026 compared with the same period last year.
He indicated that the government's food security plans are based on consumption needs, with weekly meetings under the agricultural calendar framework monitoring production, consumption, and export volumes to guide decisions that protect strategic food reserves over safe and adequate timeframes.
Khraisat mentioned recent reports by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) that position Jordan strongly across several indicators related to healthy diets and food safety. These assessments reflect the country's implementation of clear strategies, effective governance, and measures to ensure safe food supplies.
The minister also highlighted a bumper harvest this year, with wheat and barley production reaching 120,000 tonnes so far and expected to increase to 130,000 tonnes, roughly three times the levels recorded in previous years. The government has supported farmers by purchasing wheat and barley at JD520 ($733) per tonne, compared with a global price of about JD270, to encourage the cultivation of these strategic crops.
Khraisat assured that Jordan now holds grain stocks sufficient for a full year, well above the three to four months generally considered adequate. He noted that maintaining both the availability and safety of food is a priority, with strict oversight of strategic reserves, including meat supplies.
Fadel Al-Zubi, former FAO ambassador to the United Nations, remarked that the king's strategic governance is designed to prepare Jordan for future shocks and crises by managing food security reserves through a continuously updated information system tracking local and global developments.
Al-Zubi emphasized the significance of the king's focus on food security since the 2008 global financial crisis, through subsequent challenges, including regional conflicts and global supply chain disruptions. Jordan's preparedness under the king's leadership has enabled the country to maintain food security throughout these crises.
He concluded that Jordan ranks highly on global food security indicators, consistently maintaining full marks for strategic reserves during successive crises, and exceeding regional performance despite repeated external shocks. The country's progress results from sound planning, a comprehensive social protection system, and policies aimed at safeguarding citizens' welfare.
Jordan's National Food Security Strategy, covering 2021-2030, identifies agriculture as the cornerstone of food security. It addresses challenges such as regional conflicts, disrupted supply chains, and climate change, with institutions implementing proactive plans that have enabled the country to navigate global instability effectively.
The strategy aims to position Jordan as a regional food security hub by enhancing storage capacity, logistics services, agricultural production, and technology transfer, reinforcing food security as a national priority amid urbanization, globalization, and regional challenges.