Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09AMMAN1892
2009-08-23 12:50:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Amman
Cable title:
Agricultural Trade between Jordan and Iraq Reportedly
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHAM #1892 2351250 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 231250Z AUG 09 FM AMEMBASSY AMMAN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5787 RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD 6284 INFO RUEHLB/AMEMBASSY BEIRUT 3088 RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO 4118 RUEHDM/AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS 4227 RUEHRH/AMEMBASSY RIYADH 2197 RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV 1833 RUEHJM/AMCONSUL JERUSALEM 5615 RUEHRC/DEPT OF AGRICULTURE WASHDC
UNCLAS AMMAN 001892
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/ELA AND EEB/TTP/ABT
CAIRO FOR FAS AGMINCOUNS JGRESSEL
BAGHDAD FOR FAS AGMINCOUNS FKESSEL
FAS/TRADE PROGRAMS, FAS/GLOBAL ANALYSIS FAS FOR OFFICE OF GLOBAL
ANALYSIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR ECON ETRD PREL JO
SUBJECT: Agricultural Trade between Jordan and Iraq Reportedly
Resumes
REFS: A) Amman 1867
B) Amman 1579
C) 08 Amman 79
Sensitive but unclassified. Not for internet distribution.
UNCLAS AMMAN 001892
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/ELA AND EEB/TTP/ABT
CAIRO FOR FAS AGMINCOUNS JGRESSEL
BAGHDAD FOR FAS AGMINCOUNS FKESSEL
FAS/TRADE PROGRAMS, FAS/GLOBAL ANALYSIS FAS FOR OFFICE OF GLOBAL
ANALYSIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR ECON ETRD PREL JO
SUBJECT: Agricultural Trade between Jordan and Iraq Reportedly
Resumes
REFS: A) Amman 1867
B) Amman 1579
C) 08 Amman 79
Sensitive but unclassified. Not for internet distribution.
1. (SBU) Iraq has reportedly reopened its market to Jordanian
fruits and vegetables after a three-month closure. Representatives
of the Jordanian Exporters and Producers of Fruits and Vegetables
Association (JEPA) maintain the ban was imposed to facilitate the
Iraqi import of Iranian produce, a view shared by Ministry of
Agriculture (MOA) officials. Iraqi officials however, according MOA
Assistant Secretary General for Technical Affairs Dr. Mahmoud
Najdawi, claimed the ban was technical in nature and also protected
Iraqi farmers during their harvest. Although only peaches and
cucumbers have been exported to date, Jordan's public and private
sectors welcome the resumption of trade to what has been
historically Jordan's largest market for fresh fruits and
vegetables, receiving a past daily average of 12,000 tons of
produce.
2. (SBU) Trade is made possible under a bilateral agreement
concluded in June (ref B). Najdawi explained the agreement includes
a mechanism
for the issuance of import licenses by the Iraqi Agricultural
Ministry to Iraqi importers who then contract with Jordanian
suppliers. The process is designed to eliminate delays at the
border and ease the trade flow. Such a mechanism was needed because
Jordanian produce exports to Iraq generally were of the lowest grade
and, as a result, not handled by experienced, reputable companies
thus necessitating greater scrutiny at border crossings. (Note:
Jordan grades its fruit and vegetable exports based on potential
revenue. The highest value and best quality items are exported to
European markets, and the medium to Gulf states. End note.)
3. (U) The resumption of the fruit and vegetable trade with Iraq,
albeit limited, has contributed to a sharp increase in local prices
ranging from 15 to20 percent, although some also attribute the rise
to the normal spike in consumable items during the month of Ramadan
(ref A).
Visit Amman's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/amman
Beecroft
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/ELA AND EEB/TTP/ABT
CAIRO FOR FAS AGMINCOUNS JGRESSEL
BAGHDAD FOR FAS AGMINCOUNS FKESSEL
FAS/TRADE PROGRAMS, FAS/GLOBAL ANALYSIS FAS FOR OFFICE OF GLOBAL
ANALYSIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR ECON ETRD PREL JO
SUBJECT: Agricultural Trade between Jordan and Iraq Reportedly
Resumes
REFS: A) Amman 1867
B) Amman 1579
C) 08 Amman 79
Sensitive but unclassified. Not for internet distribution.
1. (SBU) Iraq has reportedly reopened its market to Jordanian
fruits and vegetables after a three-month closure. Representatives
of the Jordanian Exporters and Producers of Fruits and Vegetables
Association (JEPA) maintain the ban was imposed to facilitate the
Iraqi import of Iranian produce, a view shared by Ministry of
Agriculture (MOA) officials. Iraqi officials however, according MOA
Assistant Secretary General for Technical Affairs Dr. Mahmoud
Najdawi, claimed the ban was technical in nature and also protected
Iraqi farmers during their harvest. Although only peaches and
cucumbers have been exported to date, Jordan's public and private
sectors welcome the resumption of trade to what has been
historically Jordan's largest market for fresh fruits and
vegetables, receiving a past daily average of 12,000 tons of
produce.
2. (SBU) Trade is made possible under a bilateral agreement
concluded in June (ref B). Najdawi explained the agreement includes
a mechanism
for the issuance of import licenses by the Iraqi Agricultural
Ministry to Iraqi importers who then contract with Jordanian
suppliers. The process is designed to eliminate delays at the
border and ease the trade flow. Such a mechanism was needed because
Jordanian produce exports to Iraq generally were of the lowest grade
and, as a result, not handled by experienced, reputable companies
thus necessitating greater scrutiny at border crossings. (Note:
Jordan grades its fruit and vegetable exports based on potential
revenue. The highest value and best quality items are exported to
European markets, and the medium to Gulf states. End note.)
3. (U) The resumption of the fruit and vegetable trade with Iraq,
albeit limited, has contributed to a sharp increase in local prices
ranging from 15 to20 percent, although some also attribute the rise
to the normal spike in consumable items during the month of Ramadan
(ref A).
Visit Amman's Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/amman
Beecroft