Jordan's Grain Storage Evolution

post from 13 December 2023

The interview with Emad Al Tarawneh, General Manager of Jordan's Silo Company, provides insights into Jordan's grain storage and consumption landscape. Al-Tarawneh discusses the country's population demographics, the impact of regional crises on grain consumption, government subsidies, and the unique storage infrastructure employed in Jordan. The conversation delves into the historical context of Jordan's silos, their geographical distribution, and future plans for expanding storage capacity. Al-Tarawneh emphasizes the importance of strategic planning in the face of global influences and invites other countries to learn from Jordan's experience.

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The interview features Emad Al Tarawneh, the General Manager of Jordan Silos & Supply Company, discussing various aspects of grain storage and consumption in Jordan.

Population and Consumption Trends:

Jordan’s population is approximately 11 million, with 55% being Jordanian and the rest foreign, including refugees from various countries.

Grain consumption has increased over the last decade, with current monthly consumption of 100,000 metric tons for wheat and 90,000 metric tons for feed barley.

The increase is attributed to various crises in the region, such as the Arab Spring, the COVID-19 pandemic, and wars in Ukraine and other countries.

Government Subsidies and Consumption Policies:

The government subsidizes wheat and feed barley, maintaining stable prices for both Jordanian and foreign residents.

Consumption for other grains is handled by the private sector.

Silo Ownership and History:

The silos in Jordan, established in the late 80s, are over 55 years old and were initially owned by the Ministry of Supply.

With Jordan joining the WTO, the government shifted to a free-market strategy but retained subsidies for wheat and feed barley.

Storage Infrastructure:

Jordan primarily uses vertical silos, with no horizontal silos in operation.

The speaker discusses a cost-effective storage method involving tunnels covered with plastic, which demonstrated good quality for grains.

Geographical Distribution of Silos:

Jordan has five complexes, with one in the south (Aqaba port) and four distributed across the country.

The total capacity of silos is around 800,000 metric tons, with an additional 1,000,000 metric tons in land storage.

Future Plans and Global Influences:

The interview emphasizes the need to consider potential crises in the region and the importance of maintaining a strategic reserve.

Jordan has managed to navigate global crises, including the pandemic and conflicts, with a successful strategy for grain storage and consumption.

Sharing Jordan’s Experience:

Jordan invites other countries to learn from its experience in building and expanding silos, emphasizing collaboration and knowledge sharing.

The speaker expresses gratitude for the interview and welcomes partnerships and cooperation.

Conclusion:

This interview covering topics such as population demographics, consumption trends, government subsidies, silo infrastructure, and Jordan’s willingness to share its expertise with other nations.