Zarqa, Aug. 3 (Petra) -- Industrial exports from Zarqa rose by 10 percent during the first seven months of 2026, reaching $902.8 million compared with $821.6 million during the corresponding period last year, according to the Zarqa Chamber of Industry.
Chamber President Fares Hammouda said July exports totaled $133.7 million, compared with $155.4 million in the same month of 2025.
He said Arab markets accounted for the largest share of exports, absorbing 46 percent of total industrial exports valued at $414.8 million, up 19 percent from $348.2 million during the same period last year.
Iraq remained the leading export destination with imports worth $193.7 million, a 40 percent increase, followed by Saudi Arabia at $92.6 million. Exports to the United Arab Emirates rose 22 percent to $23.4 million, while exports to Syria increased 69 percent to $18.2 million and shipments to Qatar climbed 165 percent to $18 million.
Exports to North American markets reached $355.5 million, representing 39 percent of total exports and recording annual growth of 1 percent. Of that total, exports to the United States amounted to $341 million, while shipments to Canada reached $12.8 million.
Hammouda said exports to non-Arab Asian countries increased 38 percent to $73.5 million. Exports to European Union markets totaled $23.1 million, down 3 percent, while exports to non-Arab African countries declined 35 percent to $1.3 million.
By sector, leather and garments remained the largest export contributor with shipments valued at $377.02 million. The food, agriculture and livestock industries ranked second with exports of $214.4 million, posting annual growth of 44 percent, followed by the engineering, electrical and information technology industries at $86.83 million.
Construction industries recorded exports of $67.61 million despite a 15 percent decline, while exports from the packaging, paper, cardboard and office supplies sector increased 42 percent to $48.35 million.
Exports of chemicals and cosmetics reached $45.86 million, followed by plastics and rubber products at $33.81 million, pharmaceuticals and medical supplies at $27.05 million, and wood and furniture products at $1.71 million.
//Petra// RZ
