AMMAN — Jordan’s national exports rose by 6.2 per cent in the first half of 2026 to JD4,667 million, compared with the same period of 2025, according to the Department of Statistics (DoS) monthly report on foreign trade.

 

Re-exports recorded a sharp 44.6 per cent increase to JD1,747 million, pushing total exports to JD6,414 million, up 14.5 per cent, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

 

Imports also increased, rising by 6.1 per cent to JD10,261 million during the first half of 2026. Despite the increase, the trade deficit narrowed by 5.5 per cent, or JD226 million, to JD3,847 million, compared with JD4,073 million in the same period of 2025.

 

The improvement was also reflected in the export-to-import coverage ratio, which climbed to 63.0 per cent in the first half of 2026, compared with 58.0 per cent during the corresponding period of 2025 — a five-percentage-point increase.

 

According to the report, the growth in national exports was led by knitted clothes and accessories, which rose by 3.0 per cent, chemical and nitrogenous fertilisers, up 14.1 per cent, and raw potash, which increased by 30.7 per cent.

 

The gains were partly offset by declines in exports of jewellery and precious ornaments, which fell by 9.8 per cent, and raw phosphate, which dropped by 7.2 per cent.

 

On the import side, crude oil and its derivatives registered the largest increase, surging by 58.1 per cent, while cereal imports rose by 10.0 per cent.

 

At the same time, imports of jewellery and precious ornaments fell by 19.8 per cent, machinery and mechanical appliances by 23.6 per cent, vehicles and motorcycles by 5.9 per cent, and electrical machinery and equipment by 2.4 per cent.

 

The rise in national exports was driven by higher shipments to Syria, non-Arab Asian countries, including the People’s Republic of China, and European Union member states, notably the Netherlands.

 

Meanwhile, the main sources of imports included Greater Arab Free Trade Area countries, led by Saudi Arabia, North American Free Trade Agreement member states, including the United States, and non-Arab Asian countries, including China.

 

In June 2026 alone, total exports reached JD1,270 million, comprising JD909 million in national exports and JD361 million in re-exports. Imports stood at JD2,008 million, leaving a monthly trade deficit of JD738 million.

 

On a year-on-year basis, total exports in June surged by 32.3 per cent, supported by a 12.5 per cent rise in national exports and a 137.5 per cent jump in re-exports.

 

However, imports also surged by 43.5 per cent, widening the monthly trade deficit by 68.1 per cent.