Saudi Arabia Denies Blocking Jordanian Trucks to UAE: Fact-Checking Logistics Crisis at Border Crossings

The Saudi government has denied reports that Jordanian trucks carrying food supplies to the UAE are being blocked at the border, following a weekend of delays that raised concerns over regional trade flows. According to Saudi officials, 30 trucks that had been stranded near the Haditha border crossing with Jordan on June 14 have now resumed movement into the UAE, though the Ministry of Agriculture in Amman has called for urgent intervention to resolve ongoing logistical issues.

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior confirmed to Mena FN that no blanket ban exists on Jordanian commercial vehicles transiting through the kingdom toward the UAE. “There is no truth to the rumors about preventing Jordanian trucks from crossing into the UAE,” a ministry spokesperson said. The clarification came as Jordanian officials, including Agriculture Minister Mohammad al-Halairah, pressed for a resolution to what he described as a “serious disruption” to food supply chains.

Al-Halairah told local media that the delays had forced Jordanian exporters to park refrigerated trucks at the Saudi border, risking spoilage of perishable goods. “This situation requires immediate government action to avoid economic losses and ensure the continuity of food supplies to our markets,” he said. The ministry did not specify whether the issue stemmed from procedural changes at the Haditha crossing or temporary congestion.

Why Are Jordanian Trucks Being Delayed at the Saudi Border?

While Saudi authorities insist no ban is in place, the delays appear tied to recent adjustments in transit protocols. Al-Naba TV reported that Saudi officials had imposed additional checks at the Haditha crossing, citing “security and documentation requirements” for Jordanian trucks. The move follows a broader tightening of border procedures across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in recent months, though Saudi officials have not publicly linked the delays to broader regional tensions.

Jordan’s Ministry of Agriculture has not attributed the delays to political factors, but the timing coincides with increased scrutiny of trade routes between Jordan and Gulf states. In 2025, Jordanian exports to the UAE—primarily fresh produce, dairy, and meat—totaled $420 million, according to Jordan’s Department of Statistics. Disruptions could strain bilateral relations, particularly as Jordan seeks to diversify its economic partnerships amid shifting global supply chains.

How Many Trucks Are Affected, and What Goods Are at Risk?

As of June 16, at least 30 Jordanian trucks remained in transit through Saudi Arabia, according to Watani News, though the exact number of stalled vehicles fluctuates due to daily border movements. The majority of the delayed shipments consist of refrigerated goods, including dairy products, meat, and fresh produce, which require rapid delivery to avoid spoilage. Jordanian exporters typically rely on a 72-hour transit window to meet UAE market demands, and prolonged delays risk violating contractual obligations.

Jordan’s Agriculture Ministry has not disclosed financial losses from the delays, but industry sources cited by local outlets estimate that each day of stagnation could cost exporters between $5,000 and $10,000 in spoilage and storage fees. The ministry has not yet requested compensation from Saudi authorities, focusing instead on securing expedited clearance.

What’s the Latest Status of the Border Crossings?

Saudi officials confirmed to Mena FN that the Haditha crossing remains open, though they did not specify whether the additional checks would continue. Jordanian trucks that had been stranded since June 14 began moving again on June 15, but exporters report that the process remains slower than pre-delays. The Saudi Ministry of Interior has not announced any permanent changes to transit policies, suggesting the issue may be procedural rather than policy-driven.

Jordanian officials have not ruled out escalating the matter diplomatically. Al-Halairah’s call for “urgent intervention” signals potential pressure on Saudi Arabia to clarify the delays, though both governments have historically avoided public disputes over trade logistics. The situation underscores the fragility of GCC-Jordan trade corridors, which rely on seamless border operations to sustain food security in the region.

How Does This Compare to Past Disruptions in GCC-Jordan Trade?

The current delays echo a 2023 incident when Saudi Arabia temporarily halted Jordanian truck traffic over documentation discrepancies, leading to a three-day standoff before a diplomatic resolution. That episode resulted in $12 million in lost exports, according to Jordan’s Chamber of Commerce. Unlike 2023, however, there is no evidence of a formal dispute this time, with both sides framing the issue as a logistical hiccup rather than a political standoff.

Jordan’s reliance on Gulf markets—particularly the UAE, which imports 40% of its fresh produce from Jordan—makes such disruptions particularly sensitive. The UAE has not issued a public statement on the matter, but local traders in Dubai told Al-Naba TV that they had noticed reduced shipments of Jordanian dairy and meat in recent days, though supplies remain stable.

What Are the Next Steps for Jordanian Exporters?

Jordan’s Agriculture Ministry is coordinating with the Ministry of Transportation to streamline documentation for trucks at the Haditha crossing. Officials have suggested that exporters pre-submit transit permits and digital cargo manifests to reduce processing times. Meanwhile, the Jordanian Chamber of Commerce has urged members to diversify transit routes, including overland routes through Iraq or maritime shipments via Aqaba, though these alternatives are costlier and slower.

Saudi Arabia has not indicated whether it will adjust its border procedures, but the absence of a formal ban suggests the delays are likely temporary. Exporters are advised to monitor updates from both governments, as well as local media reports from the Haditha crossing. For now, the focus remains on resuming normal transit flows before perishable goods face further losses.

For real-time updates on border procedures, Jordanian exporters are directed to the Ministry of Transportation’s official channels or the Saudi Ministry of Interior’s transit hotline: +966 13 818 1818.