Saudi Arabia started to import Jordanian tomatoes with a rate of 200- 250 tons per day as of the beginning of March. Secretary-General of the Ministry of Agriculture Radi Al- Tarawneh told Petra Sunday that the flow of Jordanian agricultural products to the Saudi market came due to the ministry's efforts in cooperation with the private sector. President of Merchants Union of Vegetables and Fruit Exporters (MUVFEX) Samir Abu Sneineh affirmed that 31 trucks carrying tomatoes were exported to Saudi Arabia in the past two days. He added that the quantities exported to Saudi Arabia are relatively small due to the fact that Saudi Arabia is currently producing all its agricultural needs. Jordanian Minister of Agriculture Ahmad Khattab said last month that the Jordanian farmers and traders can export their vegetables to Saudi Arabia at any time but have to follow the technical standards mandated by Saudi authorities. He said Saudi markets are open to Jordanian tomatoes provided that they comply with the technical standards. "This is not a new agreement with the Saudi side," the minister told The Jordan Times, noting that "exports are covered under an agreement Jordan and Saudi Arabia signed last year." The minister pointed out that farmers can also export other types of vegetables to the Kingdom.
