Russia restoring barley supplies to Jordan, retains potential for corn exports - Food Quality Center
MOSCOW. Oct 24 (Interfax) - Russia is restoring barley supplies to Jordan this season and could expand grain exports through corn shipments, the Federal Center for Assessing the Safety and Quality of Agricultural Products (TsOK APK) told Interfax.
Around 50,000 tonnes of barley have been exported to Jordan since the start of the season (from July 1, 2025) to September 9, the center said. Over the entire previous (2024-2025) agricultural season (ended June 30, 2025) exports amounted to 193,000 tonnes, down 20% from the 2023-2024 agricultural season (280,000 tonnes, or one third of all Jordanian imports).
Russia has been one of the leading grain suppliers to Jordan in recent years, the center's director Ruslan Khasanov was cited by the center's press service as saying. A record was set in the 2020-2021 agricultural season, when exports exceeded 800,000 tonnes. Over the past two seasons, annual exports of Russian grain to the Jordanian market has averaged 450,000 tonnes, with half of the amount being wheat.
Russia's main competitors in the Jordanian wheat market are Romania and Ukraine, Khasanov said. "However, it is Russian wheat that holds the leading position thanks to stable amounts, flexible pricing policy and the proximity of logistics routes through the Black and Mediterranean Seas," he said.
"Currently, there is a trend towards restoring previous amounts of Russian grain supplies to Jordan, which allows us to talk about the possibility of increasing Russia's role in providing the Middle Eastern country with both food and feed grain," he said.
According to the center's data, domestic wheat consumption in Jordan is estimated at 1 million tonnes per year, and the country is heavily dependent on imports. The situation is similar with barley, which is used primarily as a fodder crop - annual consumption is estimated at 1.1 million tonnes, 900,000 tonnes of which are covered by supplies from abroad.
However, Russia supplies almost no corn to Jordan, Khasanov said. Significant amounts of this agricultural product are offered by Brazil, Argentina and the U.S. "But provided there is active work with local importers, Russia could expand its presence in this segment of the grain market as well," he said.
According to the center's data, Jordan could import up to 750,000 tonnes of corn this season.
Cooperation in grain between Russia and Jordan is of strategic importance for both countries, the center said. For Jordan, it ensures food security and economic stability, which are especially important in light of population growth; for Russia, it is an opportunity to strengthen its position in the Middle Eastern market, expand export directions and diversify supplies.
