By: Abdullah Al-Rabay'ah The Cooperative Cattle Breeders Coalition Association yesterday submitted a formal response to the Prime Ministry and the Ministry of Agriculture regarding the Ministry's recent letter on the localization plan for the Ultra-High Temperature (UHT) long-life milk industry and the regulation of Halloumi cheese imports. The Association asserted that the Ministry of Agriculture's letter contained inaccurate information that requires clarification, aiming to provide decision-makers with facts based on official data and ground realities. According to the Association, the Ministry's letter mischaracterized the committee's jurisdictions and the actual progress of the localization plan. The Association noted that claims regarding the committee's involvement in approving and monitoring the UHT milk localization plan do not reflect its official mandate. It explained that the committee was originally established to regulate and control the use and import of powdered milk. It comprises representatives from the Ministries of Agriculture, and Industry, Trade, and Supply, the Jordan Food and Drug Administration (JFDA), the Jordan Standards and Metrology Organization (JSMO), the General Customs Department, and representatives from the cattle breeding sector. The committee’s duties are strictly limited to studying powdered milk import applications, setting manufacturing formulas, regulating its use, and granting related approvals. Its powers do not extend to approving or amending the long-life milk localization plan, determining import quotas, regulating Halloumi cheese imports, or making decisions regarding the protection of national products. Regarding the localization plan, the Association clarified that its implementation began in 2025, not in 2024 as stated in the Ministry's letter. It noted that if the plan had achieved the success claimed by the Ministry, questions must be raised as to why its execution was halted despite the continuous influx of heavy imports of competing products. The Association also denied claims that the Ministry offered JOD 500,000 in funding to establish a UHT milk factory, confirming that no official correspondence was ever directed to them in this regard. It noted that establishing an integrated factory requires investments exceeding JOD 3 million, making the mentioned figure highly insufficient. It added that the sector’s reluctance to build new factories was not due to a lack of initiative, but rather the absence of stable government policies that protect investments in national products. The Association pointed out that Jordan already possesses long-life milk factories that are not operating at full capacity. Therefore, utilizing this existing capacity should take priority over expanding and building new factories, especially since constructing a new facility requires 16 to 24 months. In the same context, the Association clarified that claims regarding the 'Al-Maha' company not investing are inaccurate. The company has already taken practical steps, including signing an agreement to purchase UHT milk production lines. However, the Ministry was unaware of this due to the total absence of meetings or consultations with the Cattle Breeders Coalition Association since the beginning of the year. The Association further rejected the Ministry's justification of a seasonal surplus in milk production due to sheep milk season, considering this argument contradictory to the simultaneous and continuous import of large quantities of competing products. Customs data reveals the import of more than 14.5 million liters of long-life milk, in addition to white cheese and Halloumi cheese, with a total value exceeding JOD 8 million—a reality that directly contradicts the import justifications listed in the Ministry's letter. The Association confirmed that local factories produced more than 10 million liters of long-life milk in 2025, which was fully capable of meeting market demand while maintaining additional surplus capacity. It noted that the Jordan Dairy Company had previously sent an official letter to authorities confirming the local sector's capacity to cover market needs. Regarding the regulation of Halloumi cheese imports, the Association indicated that the market confusion did not stem from shortages or shortcomings within the local sector, but rather from conflicting regulations and enforcement mechanisms between the Ministry of Agriculture, the JFDA, and the Customs Department—particularly concerning proving the product's country of origin. It added that official entities failed to differentiate clearly between Halloumi cheese of Cypriot origin (which is permitted for import) and Halloumi cheese of Turkish origin (under the EUR.1 movement certificate). This led to regulatory confusion regarding certificate of origin mandates and entry procedures for certain varieties, a problem the Association deems purely administrative and one that local producers should not be held accountable for. The Association stressed that the Ministry's claims of continuous coordination with the sector do not align with reality, as the Cattle Breeders Coalition Association has not been invited to any official meeting since the beginning of the year to discuss these portfolios or review relevant policies. Furthermore, it rejected the justification that continued imports are necessary to maintain a wide availability of commodities in the market. The Association emphasized that the market faced no shortages, local milk remained consistently available, and the prices of locally produced long-life milk were lower than imported alternatives, all while achieving complete self-sufficiency without any supply interruptions. To support its position, the Association cited the Department of Statistics' (DoS) report issued this past June, which officially confirmed that Jordan has achieved 100% self-sufficiency in milk and its derivatives, proving the national sector's absolute capacity to fulfill market demands. The Association concluded its letter by raising questions over the justifications for continuing to import products that compete with national goods and harm local farmers and industries despite the government's own declaration of total self-sufficiency. It demanded that the Ministry of Agriculture be directed to adhere to the implementation of the UHT milk localization plan according to its stated goals, and to take the necessary measures to regulate and ban illegal Halloumi cheese imports that violate adopted protectionist policies, thereby safeguarding the national product, ensuring the sustainability of the cattle breeding sector, strengthening national industries, and reinforcing food security in the Kingdom.
By: Abdullah Al-Rabay'ah The Cooperative Cattle Breeders Coalition Association yesterday submitted a formal response to the Prime Ministry and the Ministry of Agriculture regarding the Ministry's recent letter on the localization plan for the Ultra-High Temperature (UHT) long-life milk industry and the regulation of Halloumi cheese imports. The Association asserted that the Ministry of Agriculture's letter contained inaccurate information that requires clarification, aiming to provide decision-makers with facts based on official data and ground realities. According to the Association, the Ministry's letter mischaracterized the committee's jurisdictions and the actual progress of the localization plan. The Association noted that claims regarding the committee's involvement in approving and monitoring the UHT milk localization plan do not reflect its official mandate. It explained that the committee was originally established to regulate and control the use and import of powdered milk. It comprises representatives from the Ministries of Agriculture, and Industry, Trade, and Supply, the Jordan Food and Drug Administration (JFDA), the Jordan Standards and Metrology Organization (JSMO), the General Customs Department, and representatives from the cattle breeding sector. The committee’s duties are strictly limited to studying powdered milk import applications, setting manufacturing formulas, regulating its use, and granting related approvals. Its powers do not extend to approving or amending the long-life milk localization plan, determining import quotas, regulating Halloumi cheese imports, or making decisions regarding the protection of national products. Regarding the localization plan, the Association clarified that its implementation began in 2025, not in 2024 as stated in the Ministry's letter. It noted that if the plan had achieved the success claimed by the Ministry, questions must be raised as to why its execution was halted despite the continuous influx of heavy imports of competing products. The Association also denied claims that the Ministry offered JOD 500,000 in funding to establish a UHT milk factory, confirming that no official correspondence was ever directed to them in this regard. It noted that establishing an integrated factory requires investments exceeding JOD 3 million, making the mentioned figure highly insufficient. It added that the sector’s reluctance to build new factories was not due to a lack of initiative, but rather the absence of stable government policies that protect investments in national products. The Association pointed out that Jordan already possesses long-life milk factories that are not operating at full capacity. Therefore, utilizing this existing capacity should take priority over expanding and building new factories, especially since constructing a new facility requires 16 to 24 months. In the same context, the Association clarified that claims regarding the 'Al-Maha' company not investing are inaccurate. The company has already taken practical steps, including signing an agreement to purchase UHT milk production lines. However, the Ministry was unaware of this due to the total absence of meetings or consultations with the Cattle Breeders Coalition Association since the beginning of the year. The Association further rejected the Ministry's justification of a seasonal surplus in milk production due to sheep milk season, considering this argument contradictory to the simultaneous and continuous import of large quantities of competing products. Customs data reveals the import of more than 14.5 million liters of long-life milk, in addition to white cheese and Halloumi cheese, with a total value exceeding JOD 8 million—a reality that directly contradicts the import justifications listed in the Ministry's letter. The Association confirmed that local factories produced more than 10 million liters of long-life milk in 2025, which was fully capable of meeting market demand while maintaining additional surplus capacity. It noted that the Jordan Dairy Company had previously sent an official letter to authorities confirming the local sector's capacity to cover market needs. Regarding the regulation of Halloumi cheese imports, the Association indicated that the market confusion did not stem from shortages or shortcomings within the local sector, but rather from conflicting regulations and enforcement mechanisms between the Ministry of Agriculture, the JFDA, and the Customs Department—particularly concerning proving the product's country of origin. It added that official entities failed to differentiate clearly between Halloumi cheese of Cypriot origin (which is permitted for import) and Halloumi cheese of Turkish origin (under the EUR.1 movement certificate). This led to regulatory confusion regarding certificate of origin mandates and entry procedures for certain varieties, a problem the Association deems purely administrative and one that local producers should not be held accountable for. The Association stressed that the Ministry's claims of continuous coordination with the sector do not align with reality, as the Cattle Breeders Coalition Association has not been invited to any official meeting since the beginning of the year to discuss these portfolios or review relevant policies. Furthermore, it rejected the justification that continued imports are necessary to maintain a wide availability of commodities in the market. The Association emphasized that the market faced no shortages, local milk remained consistently available, and the prices of locally produced long-life milk were lower than imported alternatives, all while achieving complete self-sufficiency without any supply interruptions. To support its position, the Association cited the Department of Statistics' (DoS) report issued this past June, which officially confirmed that Jordan has achieved 100% self-sufficiency in milk and its derivatives, proving the national sector's absolute capacity to fulfill market demands. The Association concluded its letter by raising questions over the justifications for continuing to import products that compete with national goods and harm local farmers and industries despite the government's own declaration of total self-sufficiency. It demanded that the Ministry of Agriculture be directed to adhere to the implementation of the UHT milk localization plan according to its stated goals, and to take the necessary measures to regulate and ban illegal Halloumi cheese imports that violate adopted protectionist policies, thereby safeguarding the national product, ensuring the sustainability of the cattle breeding sector, strengthening national industries, and reinforcing food security in the Kingdom.
By: Abdullah Al-Rabay'ah The Cooperative Cattle Breeders Coalition Association yesterday submitted a formal response to the Prime Ministry and the Ministry of Agriculture regarding the Ministry's recent letter on the localization plan for the Ultra-High Temperature (UHT) long-life milk industry and the regulation of Halloumi cheese imports. The Association asserted that the Ministry of Agriculture's letter contained inaccurate information that requires clarification, aiming to provide decision-makers with facts based on official data and ground realities. According to the Association, the Ministry's letter mischaracterized the committee's jurisdictions and the actual progress of the localization plan. The Association noted that claims regarding the committee's involvement in approving and monitoring the UHT milk localization plan do not reflect its official mandate. It explained that the committee was originally established to regulate and control the use and import of powdered milk. It comprises representatives from the Ministries of Agriculture, and Industry, Trade, and Supply, the Jordan Food and Drug Administration (JFDA), the Jordan Standards and Metrology Organization (JSMO), the General Customs Department, and representatives from the cattle breeding sector. The committee’s duties are strictly limited to studying powdered milk import applications, setting manufacturing formulas, regulating its use, and granting related approvals. Its powers do not extend to approving or amending the long-life milk localization plan, determining import quotas, regulating Halloumi cheese imports, or making decisions regarding the protection of national products. Regarding the localization plan, the Association clarified that its implementation began in 2025, not in 2024 as stated in the Ministry's letter. It noted that if the plan had achieved the success claimed by the Ministry, questions must be raised as to why its execution was halted despite the continuous influx of heavy imports of competing products. The Association also denied claims that the Ministry offered JOD 500,000 in funding to establish a UHT milk factory, confirming that no official correspondence was ever directed to them in this regard. It noted that establishing an integrated factory requires investments exceeding JOD 3 million, making the mentioned figure highly insufficient. It added that the sector’s reluctance to build new factories was not due to a lack of initiative, but rather the absence of stable government policies that protect investments in national products. The Association pointed out that Jordan already possesses long-life milk factories that are not operating at full capacity. Therefore, utilizing this existing capacity should take priority over expanding and building new factories, especially since constructing a new facility requires 16 to 24 months. In the same context, the Association clarified that claims regarding the 'Al-Maha' company not investing are inaccurate. The company has already taken practical steps, including signing an agreement to purchase UHT milk production lines. However, the Ministry was unaware of this due to the total absence of meetings or consultations with the Cattle Breeders Coalition Association since the beginning of the year. The Association further rejected the Ministry's justification of a seasonal surplus in milk production due to sheep milk season, considering this argument contradictory to the simultaneous and continuous import of large quantities of competing products. Customs data reveals the import of more than 14.5 million liters of long-life milk, in addition to white cheese and Halloumi cheese, with a total value exceeding JOD 8 million—a reality that directly contradicts the import justifications listed in the Ministry's letter. The Association confirmed that local factories produced more than 10 million liters of long-life milk in 2025, which was fully capable of meeting market demand while maintaining additional surplus capacity. It noted that the Jordan Dairy Company had previously sent an official letter to authorities confirming the local sector's capacity to cover market needs. Regarding the regulation of Halloumi cheese imports, the Association indicated that the market confusion did not stem from shortages or shortcomings within the local sector, but rather from conflicting regulations and enforcement mechanisms between the Ministry of Agriculture, the JFDA, and the Customs Department—particularly concerning proving the product's country of origin. It added that official entities failed to differentiate clearly between Halloumi cheese of Cypriot origin (which is permitted for import) and Halloumi cheese of Turkish origin (under the EUR.1 movement certificate). This led to regulatory confusion regarding certificate of origin mandates and entry procedures for certain varieties, a problem the Association deems purely administrative and one that local producers should not be held accountable for. The Association stressed that the Ministry's claims of continuous coordination with the sector do not align with reality, as the Cattle Breeders Coalition Association has not been invited to any official meeting since the beginning of the year to discuss these portfolios or review relevant policies. Furthermore, it rejected the justification that continued imports are necessary to maintain a wide availability of commodities in the market. The Association emphasized that the market faced no shortages, local milk remained consistently available, and the prices of locally produced long-life milk were lower than imported alternatives, all while achieving complete self-sufficiency without any supply interruptions. To support its position, the Association cited the Department of Statistics' (DoS) report issued this past June, which officially confirmed that Jordan has achieved 100% self-sufficiency in milk and its derivatives, proving the national sector's absolute capacity to fulfill market demands. The Association concluded its letter by raising questions over the justifications for continuing to import products that compete with national goods and harm local farmers and industries despite the government's own declaration of total self-sufficiency. It demanded that the Ministry of Agriculture be directed to adhere to the implementation of the UHT milk localization plan according to its stated goals, and to take the necessary measures to regulate and ban illegal Halloumi cheese imports that violate adopted protectionist policies, thereby safeguarding the national product, ensuring the sustainability of the cattle breeding sector, strengthening national industries, and reinforcing food security in the Kingdom.
comments
Cattle Breeders Coalition Association: Jordan Achieved Self-Sufficiency in Milk and Derivatives, and "Ministry of Agriculture Letter" Contains Inaccurate Information
display options :
Full
Main image only
without images
comments