Amman, July 23 (Petra) – National exports rose by 5.8 percent during the first five months of 2026 to JD3.796 billion, compared with the same period of 2025, while re-exports increased by 31.3 percent to JD1.387 billion, according to the Department of Statistics' monthly foreign trade report.
Total exports consequently reached JD5.183 billion, an increase of 11.6 percent.
Imports declined by 1 percent to JD8.194 billion during the first five months of 2026. As a result, the trade deficit narrowed by 17.1 percent, or JD621 million, to JD3.011 billion from JD3.632 billion during the same period of 2025.
The total export-to-import coverage ratio reached 63 percent during the first five months of 2026, compared with 56 percent in the same period of 2025, an improvement of 7 percentage points.
Growth in national exports was concentrated in clothing and accessories, which rose by 1.2 percent; nitrogenous and chemical fertilizers, up 15.3 percent; and crude potash, which increased by 38.4 percent.
Regarding imports, crude oil and petroleum products increased by 41.9 percent, while plastics and plastic products rose by 8.5 percent.
The rise in national exports was driven by increased shipments to Syria, non-Arab Asian countries, including China, and European Union countries, including the Netherlands. The main markets from which imports increased included Greater Arab Free Trade Area countries, particularly Saudi Arabia, and non-Arab Asian countries, particularly India.
In May 2026, total exports amounted to JD1.319 billion, including JD841 million in national exports and JD478 million in re-exports. Imports reached JD1.635 billion, resulting in a trade deficit of JD316 million.
Compared with May 2025, total exports rose by 20.3 percent, national exports by 1.3 percent, re-exports by 79.7 percent, and imports by 1 percent. Consequently, the monthly trade deficit declined by 39.6 percent.
//Petra// AO
