In line with agricultural calendars, Syria, Lebanon and Palestine will be permitted to start exporting citrus to Jordan duty-free by mid-February, Jordan Times reported.
But for local citrus growers, already confronted with a decline in local produce prices due to a huge surplus of production, the step means added pressure, a Jordan Valley Farmers Union official was quoted by the paper, citing that each seven-eight kilogram box of tangerines, lemons and oranges is sold to customers at 600 fils, JD1 and JD2, respectively.
These prices are described by farmers as "very humble" since they do not cover the cost of production, that made the government to announce on January 17, several measures to ease burdens on farmers, including among other things, hiking taxes on citrus imports by five percent.
But, since the Syrian, Lebanese and Palestinian citrus imports will be allowed into the Kingdom customs-free, they will not only be exempt from paying the 30 per cent customs, but also from the recent five per cent hike. The citrus imports duty-free period which starts in mid-February will conclude in June -- Albawaba.com
