Jordan issues tenders for 240,000 T of wheat and barley to strengthen food security

JORDAN – Jordan’s state grain buyer has issued international tenders to purchase up to 120,000 metric tons each of milling wheat and animal feed barley, with bid deadlines on April 8 and April 9, respectively.

These procurement efforts underscore Jordan’s ongoing commitment to ensuring food security amidst global market fluctuations.​

The wheat tender seeks shipments in 50,000 to 60,000-ton consignments during the periods of July 1-15, July 16-31, August 1-15, and August 16-31.

This move follows Jordan’s recent purchase of 60,000 tons of milling wheat in a tender that closed on January 21, with shipments scheduled for April 1-15, April 16-30, May 1-15, and May 16-31. ​

Similarly, the barley tender requests shipments in 50,000 to 60,000-ton consignments for the periods of July 16-31, August 1-15, August 16-31, and September 1-15. This aligns with Jordan’s previous barley tender, which sought shipments in consignments ranging from 50,000 to 60,000 tons for the periods of April 1-15, April 16-30, and May 1-15. ​

Despite fluctuations in specific import categories, Jordan’s total imports saw a modest increase in 2024. The Department of Statistics reported that imports grew by 1.8% in the January-November period of 2024, reaching JD17.285 billion (US$24.4B) compared to JD16.982 billion (US$24B) in the same period of 2023.

Participation in these tenders is expected from major trading companies, including Viterra, Cargill, CHS, Ameropa, Farm Sense, Buildcom, Cereal Crops, and Al Dahra. However, no purchases have been reported yet.

As the tender deadlines approach, global suppliers are closely monitoring Jordan’s procurement activities, which are expected to influence international grain markets. ​

Jordan is one of the world’s most arid nations and depends on global trade for its food security. Over the past two decades, Jordan’s population has more than doubled to 11 million taxing its natural resource base.

The Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) of the US Department of Agriculture has estimated Wheat imports for Jordan to reach 1.2 million tonnes in 2024-25 as the government begins filling its strategic grain reserves to mitigate inflationary shocks caused by geopolitical crises.

If realized, wheat imports would remain at the same level as 2023-24, but up from 1 million tonnes in 2022-23, according to the USDA report.

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