Amman, August 26 (Petra) - Jordan's total exports surged 14.5 percent in the first half of 2026 to reach JD 6.41 million, according to monthly report of the Department of Statistics (DoS) on foreign trade released on Wednesday.
National exports rose 6.2 percent to JD4.67 million, compared to the same period in 2025, while re-exports rose 44.6 percent to JD1.75 million.
Meanwhile, the DoS figures showed imports grew at a slower pace, rising 6.1 percent to JD10.26 million. Consequently, the trade deficit narrowed by 5.5 percent (JD226 million) to JD3.85 million dinars. Total export coverage of imports improved by 5 percentage points, reaching 63 percent up from 58 percent in H1 2025.
The gain in national exports was anchored by notable increases in crude potash, up 30.7 percent, fertilizers, up 14.1 percent, and apparel and accessories, up 3.0 percent. These gains offset declines in raw phosphate exports, which dropped 7.2 percent, and fine jewelry, which fell 9.8 percent.
Export growth was "largely" buoyed by expanded shipments to Syria, non-Arab Asian nations including China, and European Union markets led by the Netherlands.
On the import side, crude oil and petroleum products surged 58.1 percent, while grain imports rose 10.0 percent.
In contrast, imports fell for machinery and tools by 23.6 percent, fine jewelry by 19.8 percent, vehicles and cycles by 5.9 percent, and electrical equipment by 2.4 percent. Major import sources included Saudi Arabia, the US, and China.
In June, total exports climbed 32.3 percent year-over-year to JD1.27 million, backed by a 12.5 percent increase in national exports (JD909 million) and a 137.5 percent spike in re-exports (JD361 million). However, a 43.5 percent jump in monthly imports to JD2.01 million widened the June trade deficit by 68.1 percent to JD738 million.
//Petra// HA
