Classification
Product TypeProcessed Food
Product FormCured/Brined
Industry PositionProcessed Vegetable Product
Market
Cured (table) olives in Jordan sit within a large domestic olive sector with production concentrated in the western mountainous highlands and additional cultivation extending into desert areas. The market is supported by domestic processors and packers (e.g., Al Durra’s Jordan-based production footprint) and a retail assortment that includes multiple styles and origin-positioned products sold through grocery and e-commerce channels. Jordan’s regulatory environment is shaped by JFDA food safety/labeling oversight and an active national standard-setting process, including a Jordanian table-olives standard draft circulated by JSMO via industry channels in 2025. As a processed, brined product often packed in glass and bulk formats, quality outcomes are tightly linked to brine composition, fermentation control, packaging integrity, and documentation at import clearance.
Market RoleDomestic producer and consumer market with active processing/packing; imports complement local supply with varied styles and origins
Domestic RoleStaple preserved vegetable product with broad household and foodservice usage; supplied by domestic processors and imported packaged lines
SeasonalityOlive harvest is concentrated in late Q4, while curing/fermentation and packing enable year-round availability of finished cured olives.
Specification
Physical Attributes- Commercial styles commonly include whole, pitted, sliced, and stuffed presentations (including pepper-stuffed and mixed-vegetable medley styles).
- Retail assortment in Jordan includes style- and origin-positioned items such as grilled “Turkish” olives and “Kalamata” black olives as marketed through local e-grocery channels.
Compositional Metrics- Codex CXS 66-1981 includes brine/juice targets for treated and natural table olives (maximum pH 4.3; minimum sodium chloride content 5.0% for treated olives and 6.0% for natural olives).
Grades- Codex CXS 66-1981 provides optional trade categories (e.g., “Extra/Fancy/A”, “First/Choice/B”, “Second/Standard/C”) used as grade references in table-olive trade practice.
Packaging- Glass jars for retail and foodservice (e.g., multi-kilogram jar formats marketed by Jordan-based producers).
- Bulk packs (e.g., large pails) for foodservice or repacking supply chains.
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Olive harvesting → sorting/grading → debittering (alkaline treatment and washing, or direct brining) → brine fermentation and/or oxidation (style-dependent) → pitting/slicing/stuffing (as specified) → filling with packing brine → heat treatment (pasteurization/sterilization for style stability, where used) → packaging → wholesale/retail/e-grocery distribution
Temperature- For sealed, shelf-stable packs: protect from high heat and sunlight during storage and distribution to reduce quality degradation and packaging stress.
- For opened packs: chilled storage is typically used to slow spoilage once brine equilibrium is disturbed.
Shelf Life- Shelf stability depends on style (fermented vs. oxidized/sterilized) and on maintaining brine coverage, seal integrity, and hygienic packing conditions.
- Quality deterioration risks increase with brine leakage, container damage (especially glass), or temperature abuse in last-mile delivery.
Freight IntensityMedium
Transport ModeMultimodal
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighJordan market access can be blocked by non-conformity with JFDA enforcement expectations and evolving national standards; in particular, JSMO circulated a Jordanian table-olives standard draft (No. 833/2025) for stakeholder voting in 2025, and changes between draft and final requirements can create sudden non-compliance risk for labeling and product specification.Obtain the finalized JSMO Standard No. 833/2025 text via the importer/industry chamber, align label and composition specs before shipment, and run a pre-shipment compliance checklist review against JFDA and Jordan customs requirements.
Documentation Gap HighJordan customs clearance is sensitive to original documentation (invoice and certificate of origin) and importer credential requirements; Jordan Trade Portal procedures indicate originals are required and that clearance on copies may require a cash deposit and later presentation of originals, creating delay and demurrage risk.Ship originals via secure courier ahead of arrival; ensure invoice includes origin where applicable; confirm importer card validity and ASYCUDA filing readiness with the Jordan customs broker.
Food Safety MediumCured olives depend on controlled brine/fermentation and hygienic packing; Codex CXS 66-1981 specifies brine/juice parameters (including pH and minimum salt levels for treated/natural styles), and non-conformance can lead to spoilage, off-fermentation defects, and rejection or recalls.Implement validated fermentation/brine controls (pH, salt, time/temperature) with documented batch records and finished-product verification aligned to Codex and the importer’s specification.
Logistics MediumGlass-packed brined olives are heavy and damage-prone; handling shocks and temperature abuse in multimodal and last-mile delivery can increase breakage/leakage, leading to quality claims and retailer chargebacks.Use protective secondary packaging, pallet stabilization, and shipper drop/tilt testing for glass formats; agree claims terms and inspection protocols with the importer before shipment.
Sustainability- Rainfed dominance in western mountainous olive production areas can increase supply variability risk (yield swings) for domestic raw olive availability feeding table-olive processing.
- Expansion of olive cultivation into marginal areas (desert/highlands interface) increases exposure to water and climate constraints for consistent raw-material supply.
Labor & Social- Workforce due diligence for major processors: third-party business listings for a key Jordan-based producer indicate employment of refugees/migrants, increasing the importance of documented fair recruitment, wage compliance, and safe working conditions across processing facilities and contracted labor.
FAQ
What is the most common HS code reference for cured/table olives when preparing customs documentation for Jordan?A common reference code for cured/table olives is HS 200570 (olives, prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid, not frozen). Final classification should still be confirmed with the Jordan customs broker using the Jordan Customs tariff systems.
Which documents are highlighted as required for customs clearance into Jordan for packaged food shipments?Jordan Trade Portal guidance lists an original commercial invoice and an original foreign certificate of origin (or origin stated on the invoice under specified conditions), along with a valid importer card, an electronic bill of lading, and a packing list if available.
Which Jordan authorities and standards are most relevant for cured/table olives compliance?JFDA is the national authority responsible for food safety and proper labeling oversight, and JSMO is the national standards body; industry channels reported a draft Jordanian Standard No. 833/2025 specifically for table olives. Codex CXS 66-1981 provides an international reference standard for table-olive definitions and composition/quality parameters.