An Analytical Comparative Study of the Opportunity Cost Between Domestic Production and Importation of Fish in Jordan

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Economics, Faculty of Agriculture, Jerash University, 26150, Jerash City - Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

2 Advisor to the Jordanian Ministry of Agriculture

10.21608/esm.2025.450462

Abstract

The fish production sector in Jordan is one of the promising agricultural sectors that can effectively contribute to achieving food security and reducing dependence on imports. This study aimed to analyze the economics of fish production in Jordan during the period 2020–2025, with a comparative evaluation of the opportunity cost between increasing domestic production and importing from abroad.
The study employed a descriptive-analytical economic approach, utilizing official data from sources such as the Jordanian Ministry of Agriculture, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the World Bank. The results revealed that local production recorded a gradual increase during the study period (2020–2025); however, its contribution to closing the food gap remained limited, leading to continued heavy reliance on imports to meet rising demand. FAO statistics for the period 2020–2023 further indicate that Jordan increasingly depends on imports to satisfy its fish consumption needs.
The study concluded that achieving a strategic balance between domestic production and imports represents the optimal approach to enhancing food security and economic sustainability in the Kingdom. The findings emphasize the importance of supporting investment in aquaculture farms, developing infrastructure, and adopting modern technologies to enhance efficiency and productivity, thereby reducing external dependency and generating tangible economic and social benefits.

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The Egyptian Science Magazine
Volume 12, Issue 1
December 2025
Pages 38-47

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