Amman, Nov. 3 (Petra) -- Exports from the leather and garment industries rose 3.4% during the first eight months of 2026, reaching JD1.236 billion compared with JD1.196 billion during the same period in 2025, according to figures from the Jordan Chamber of Industry (JCI).
The United States remained the sector's largest export market, accounting for 77% of total exports, valued at JD957 million, down from JD965 million a year earlier.
Ehab Qadri, the sector's representative at JCI, told the Jordan News Agency (Petra) that exports continued to grow despite global competition, production and logistics costs, and fluctuations in international demand.
He said increased shipments to several European and North American markets helped offset the decline in exports to the United States.
Exports to Canada increased 13% to JD39 million, while shipments to the Netherlands rose 30% to JD35 million. Exports to Belgium grew 4% to JD26 million, the United Kingdom by 4% to JD25 million, and Germany by 17% to JD20 million.
Other markets also recorded growth, with exports to Mexico rising 40%, Italy 32%, and the United Arab Emirates 11%, although their export values remained relatively modest.
Qadri attributed the sector's continued access to international markets partly to established relationships with global brands and importers, production capabilities, and compliance with quality standards, technical specifications and delivery schedules. He also highlighted the role of the Jordan-US Free Trade Agreement in attracting investment, developing production capabilities and connecting factories with global supply chains.
He said sustaining growth in these markets requires studying importers’ needs, developing products, strengthening direct commercial contacts and meeting international technical, environmental and social requirements.
At the product level, knitted or crocheted apparel and clothing accessories accounted for approximately 95% of the sector's exports, rising 4.6% to JD1.177 billion from JD1.125 billion during the corresponding period in 2025.
In contrast, exports of non-knitted or crocheted apparel and clothing accessories declined 41.3% to approximately JD20 million from JD34 million, while carpet and textile floor covering exports edged down 0.5% to JD28 million.
Exports of other made-up textile articles and worn clothing increased 79.4% to around JD5 million, while shipments of wadding, felt, nonwoven fabrics, twine, and cordage rose 42.7% to approximately JD3 million.
Qadri said the varying performance across product categories underscored the need to diversify manufacturing activities, expand supporting industries, and increase domestic value added.
He noted that the sector employs approximately 96,000 workers and plays a significant role in industrial employment, investment, and Jordan's integration into international supply chains.
However, he warned that evolving global requirements concerning environmental sustainability, product traceability, labor standards, and quality would require continued investment in technology, production modernization, productivity and workforce development.
Qadri also called for expanding domestic production of fabrics, yarns, and other manufacturing inputs and strengthening integration across production stages to increase local value added and improve supply-chain resilience.
He said future development would depend partly on implementing initiatives under Jordan's Economic Modernization Vision, particularly the garment industry cluster project, which aims to strengthen industrial integration, develop value chains and attract investment in supporting industries.
The Jordan Chamber of Industry is working with government agencies and industry stakeholders to implement sector priorities, improve production capabilities and the investment environment, develop technical and vocational skills, increase productivity, and expand export opportunities, he added.
Qadri stressed the importance of aligning vocational training programs with factory requirements and supporting technological innovation to help manufacturers meet international buyers' standards.
//Petra// AO
