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AMMAN — National exports rose by 5.8 per cent in the first five months of 2026 to reach JD3.796 billion compared with the same period in 2025, according to a monthly foreign trade report issued on Thursday by the Department of Statistics (DoS).
Re-exports also increased significantly by 31.3 per cent, standing at JD1.387 billion, bringing total exports to JD5.183 billion, an overall surge of 11.6 per cent.
Meanwhile, imports dipped by 1 per cent to reach JD8.194 billion during the same January–May period, DoS figures showed, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.
As a result, Jordan’s trade deficit narrowed by 17.1 per cent (or JD621 million), dropping to JD3.011 billion down from JD3.632 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2025.
The coverage ratio of total exports to imports improved to 63 per cent during the first five months of 2026, marking a 7 percentage point increase compared with 56 per cent recorded in the same period last year.
The rise in national exports was driven primarily by garments and clothing accessories, which increased by 1.2 per cent, nitrogenous or chemical fertilizers (up 15.3 per cent), and crude potash (up 38.4 per cent).
On the import side, crude oil and petroleum products witnessed a 41.9 per cent increase, while plastics and articles thereof rose by 8.5 per cent.
The growth in national exports was bolstered by higher shipments to Syria, non-Arab Asian countries (including China), and European Union countries (including the Netherlands).
Conversely, major origin markets driving the rise in imports included Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA) member states, led by Saudi Arabia, and non-Arab Asian nations, notably India.
In May 2026, total exports reached JD1.319 billion, comprising JD841 million in national exports and JD478 million in re-exports. Imports stood at JD1.635 billion, resulting in a trade deficit of JD316 million for the month.
Compared with May 2025, total exports increased by 20.3 per cent, with national exports up 1.3 per cent and re-exports surging by 79.7 per cent. Imports rose slightly by 1 per cent, causing the monthly trade deficit to drop by 39.6 per cent, Petra reported.
