Classification
Product TypeProcessed Food
Product FormCured/Brined (Shelf-stable)
Industry PositionProcessed Vegetable Product
Market
Cured green olives (table olives) are produced in Jordan from locally grown olives and are consumed widely as a staple mezze item, while also being traded as a packaged prepared/preserved product. Jordan’s olive cultivation is concentrated in northern/highland governorates (e.g., Irbid, Ajloun, Jerash), and a portion of national olive fruit output is used for table olives. In 2024, Jordan both exported and imported prepared/preserved olives under HS 200570, indicating a domestic processing base alongside strong import competition from larger Mediterranean suppliers. Climate stress (heat/drought) has recently been reported as a major threat to olive yields, with direct implications for raw olive availability and downstream curing/packing volumes.
Market RoleDomestic producer with regional exports and significant import competition
Domestic RoleCommon household and foodservice mezze/condiment product; also used as a prepared ingredient in retail and hospitality channels
SeasonalityOlives used for curing/fermentation are typically harvested in the autumn; extreme heat and drought years have been reported to delay and reduce harvest volumes in Jordan, affecting availability for table-olive processing.
Risks
Climate HighExtreme heat and drought conditions have been reported to sharply reduce and delay Jordan’s olive harvest, which can materially constrain raw olive availability for curing/packing and disrupt both domestic supply and export programs.Contract diversified orchard supply (regions and irrigation profiles), maintain buffer inventory of finished goods, and align procurement with seasonal climate monitoring and contingency sourcing.
Regulatory Compliance HighLabeling non-compliance (especially missing/unclear Arabic labeling, batch/expiry, ingredient list, or origin) can lead to shipment holds, rejection, or relabeling costs at entry and in-market surveillance.Run a pre-shipment label compliance checklist against Jordan label elements (Arabic, ingredients order, net content, batch/expiry, storage) and keep controlled label artwork approvals.
Logistics MediumBrine-packed olives in glass/tin are weight- and volume-intensive; freight-rate swings, border delays, or poor handling can erode margins and increase damage risk (breakage/leakage).Use robust secondary packaging/palletization, choose routes with reliable transit times, and apply damage-allowance clauses plus temperature/handling SOPs with carriers and warehouses.
Food Safety MediumProcess-control failures during debittering/fermentation or inadequate container closure/heat treatment can cause abnormal fermentation, spoilage, or safety defects, increasing recall and brand risk.Specify Codex-aligned brine chemistry targets (salt/pH) and verify HACCP/FSSC 22000 controls for fermentation monitoring, container integrity, and (where used) pasteurization/sterilization validation.
Sustainability- Heat and drought risk to olive yields (climate resilience and water stewardship for rainfed orchards)
- Irrigation constraints and rainfall variability affecting supply stability for processors
Labor & Social- Olive-sector livelihood exposure: reduced harvest volumes can cut seasonal employment and household income in olive-growing communities.
Standards- FSSC 22000 (GFSI-recognized)
- GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices)
FAQ
Does Jordan both export and import prepared/preserved olives (HS 200570)?Yes. UN Comtrade-derived data published via the World Bank WITS platform shows Jordan exported prepared/preserved olives (HS 200570) in 2024 and also imported the same HS category in 2024 from major suppliers such as Egypt, Spain, and Turkey.
What are common brine specification anchors used for table olives like cured green olives?Codex STAN 66 (Table Olives) includes brine chemistry anchors such as minimum sodium chloride content (e.g., 5.0% for treated olives and 6.0% for natural olives) and a maximum pH limit of 4.3 for treated/natural preparations, alongside general quality and defect-tolerance guidance.
What labeling elements should be expected on packaged cured olives sold in Jordan?Jordan labeling guidance indicates Arabic labeling is primary and labels should include product name, ingredients in descending order, net contents, producer/importer details, country of origin, batch/lot identification, expiry/date-marking, and storage instructions.