Jordan Halts Tomato Exports to Israel Amid Health Concerns
In a significant development, Jordan has decided not to resume its tomato exports to Israel following a controversial decision by the Israeli Ministry of Health. The ministry had previously permitted the import of Jordanian tomatoes under specific conditions after banning them in August due to cholera concerns linked to the Yarmouk River drainage area. This decision has raised tensions between the two nations, as Jordanian officials express their dissatisfaction with the unilateral announcement.
Rising Tensions and Economic Implications
According to reports from the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, unnamed sources within the Israeli Ministry of Agriculture indicated that Jordanian authorities are awaiting an apology from Israel's Health Ministry. This diplomatic friction may also be interpreted as Jordan leveraging the situation to express discontent over Israel's actions in Gaza and Lebanon. With the ongoing global tomato shortage, Jordanian farmers are reportedly well-positioned to find alternative markets, mitigating the economic impact of this decision.
Tomato Shortage in Israel: A Growing Crisis
The tomato crisis in Israel is exacerbated by a combination of factors, including a significant drop in local crop yields due to extreme summer heat and a Turkish export ban. Israel's Ministry of Agriculture has announced an additional import quota of 5,000 tons of duty-free tomatoes to address the shortage, yet prices remain high. Regular tomatoes are selling for approximately NIS 12 ($3.18) per kilogram, with cluster tomatoes reaching prices between NIS 25 ($6.62) and NIS 45 ($11.92) per kilogram. As Israel typically consumes about 14,000 tons of tomatoes monthly, the current situation marks a dramatic shift from reliance on local production to increased imports.
