AMMAN — Jordan recorded a trade surplus with 10 countries in the Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA) during the first half of 2026, as national exports to Arab markets continued to grow, official data showed.

 

According to foreign trade figures released by the Department of Statistics, Jordan’s national exports to GAFTA countries rose 4.4 percent year-on-year to JD1.997 billion in the first six months of 2026, up from JD1.912 billion during the same period last year.

 

Imports from GAFTA countries, meanwhile, increased 26.3 percent to JD3.296 billion, compared with JD2.610 billion in the first half of 2025.

 

GAFTA countries remained Jordan’s largest trading bloc in terms of national exports, accounting for around 42.8 per cent of the Kingdom’s total national exports during the first half of the year.

 

Despite the growth in exports, Jordan’s overall trade balance with GAFTA countries recorded a JD1.299 billion deficit, compared with JD698 million during the same period last year.

 

Jordan posted trade surpluses with Lebanon, Yemen, Libya, Morocco, Kuwait, Syria, Palestine, Algeria, Iraq and South Sudan.

 

The Kingdom recorded trade deficits with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Egypt, Oman, Tunisia and Sudan.

 

Saudi Arabia was the largest destination for Jordanian national exports among GAFTA countries, receiving goods worth around JD529 million during the first half of the year.

 

Iraq ranked second, with exports totaling JD522 million, an increase of 16.3 percent year-on-year. Exports to Syria also rose significantly, reaching JD146 million, up 36.4 per cent.

 

Jordan’s main exports to GAFTA markets include fertilizers, pharmaceutical products, agricultural goods such as fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables, salts, skincare products, prepared food products, furniture, textiles and clothing, and paints.

 

Major imports from GAFTA countries include crude oil and petroleum products, jewelry, food products, plastic sheets and plates, titanium dioxide, polyethylene, polystyrene, iron and steel products, among other goods.

 

Overall, Jordan’s national exports increased 6.2 per cent in the first half of 2026 to JD4.667 billion. Re-exports rose by 44.6 per cent to JD1.747 billion, pushing total exports to JD6.414 billion, an annual increase of 14.5 per cent.

 

The Greater Arab Free Trade Area is an economic framework established to promote trade and economic integration among Arab countries by reducing and eliminating customs duties on intra-Arab trade. The agreement entered into force in January 2005 and comprises 18 Arab countries.