Amman, March 25 (Petra) -- The Kingdom has achieved over 80 percent self-sufficiency in poultry meat and full self-sufficiency in table eggs, with feed reserves covering about 110 days, Assistant Secretary-General of the Ministry of Agriculture for Livestock Misbah Tarawneh said.

He added that the poultry sector is among the most advanced in the Middle East and North Africa region, with investments exceeding JD2.4 billion, underscoring its central role in strengthening national food security.

Tarawneh told the Jordan News Agency (Petra) that the poultry sector continues to maintain strong stability, supported by sustained production levels, adequate feed availability, and a sufficient strategic reserve of red meat to meet domestic demand. He noted that monthly output exceeds 33,000 tons of poultry meat and around 40 million hatching eggs.

The Ministry said it remains committed to securing key production inputs, particularly yellow corn and soybean meal, in line with strict technical standards and from reliable sources. It noted that setting a maximum breakage rate of 7 percent for yellow corn helps preserve its nutritional value, particularly starch content, thereby enhancing production efficiency and supporting price stability.

The Ministry warned that higher breakage rates could lead to increased feed consumption and raise the risk of fungal contamination, adding that regulatory oversight is being intensified to ensure compliance with specifications.

According to Ministry data, the Kingdom imported around 650,000 tons of yellow corn and 350,000 tons of soybean meal in 2024. Since the beginning of 2026, imports have reached approximately 123,000 tons of corn and 109,000 tons of soybean meal, with additional shipments estimated at 280,000 tons of corn and 50,000 tons of soybean meal expected in the coming period.

On red meat, Tarawneh said strategic reserves remain sufficient, supported by diversified import sources spanning 21 countries and covering fresh, chilled, and frozen products, enhancing supply flexibility.

He added that the Ministry recently authorized imports of chilled veal from Egypt and fresh lamb and goat meat from Syria to expand supply and provide consumers with a wider range of options at competitive prices.

Tarawneh said domestic production meets approximately 42 percent of the local market’s red meat demand, highlighting the sector’s role as a key contributor to national food security.

He said the Ministry conducts daily monitoring of market conditions and inventory levels, taking necessary measures to maintain price stability and ensure the continuous availability of essential food commodities.

//Petra// AJ

25/03/2026 15:30:14