Ministry says most produce exported via land
AMMAN -- Construction of an airport in the Jordan Valley for exporting agricultural produce is economically unfeasible, an Agriculture Ministry official said on Tuesday.
The airport, which was first proposed in 2008, aimed at facilitating the transport of agricultural produce and boosting socio-economic development in the Jordan Valley.
"Many farmers are calling on the government to expedite work to establish an agriculture airport, but studies show that the idea is unfeasible," Agriculture Ministry Spokesperson Nimer Haddadin told The Jordan Times in a phone interview.
Haddadin said the Kingdom exported 800,000 tonnes of fruits and vegetables to Arab and European countries last year, noting that the majority was exported via land routes.
"Most of our agricultural produce is exported to neighbouring and Gulf countries by overland cargo, while only 5 per cent is exported to European countries via air cargo," he noted.
The airport is not feasible because the profits generated from produce exports will not cover its operational costs, Haddadin highlighted.
He said the ministry is exploring new routes for exporting local produce to European countries since exports via Syria, which is Jordan's main gateway for exporting fruits and vegetables to Turkey and Europe, have been partially suspended.
According to Agriculture Ministry figures, in normal circumstances, Jordan annually exports 180,000 tonnes of fruits and vegetables to Syria, at a value of around JD40 million.
Between 300 and 400 freight trucks used to enter the Kingdom through Syria on a daily basis, according to official figures.
Haddadin noted that many farmers are now exporting their produce to Turkey and Europe via Iraq, while a few are using the overland route from Syria to Lebanon, from where they ship exports to European countries.
© Jordan Times 2013
