Imports, exports drop in 2015 — agency

AMMAN — Jordan’s total exports during 2015 amounted to around JD5.558 billion, recording a 6.6 per cent drop from 2014, the Department of Statistics (DoS) announced Sunday.

National exports were 7.1 per cent lower at around JD4.795 billion in total in 2015 compared to 2014, whereas re-exports were worth JD0.763 billion last year, recording a 3.4 per cent decline from the previous year.

The statistics also showed a 11.3 per cent fall in imports during 2015, down to JD14.436 billion.

Consequently, the trade balance registered a JD8.877 billion deficit, bringing the gap down by 14 per cent during 2015, compared to the year before. 

Exports of garments, potash and phosphate went up by 7.8, 2.5 and 10.9 per cent respectively, while the export value of fruit and vegetables, pharmaceuticals and fertilisers dropped by 4.7, 5.9 and 26.4 per cent in 2015.

Imports that registered an increase in their values during 2015 compared to 2014 included machinery (6.5 per cent); vehicles, motorbikes and their spare parts (15.4 per cent); electric devices (25.4 per cent); and jewellery and precious minerals (38.4 per cent), DoS data revealed. 

Imports of crude oil and its derivatives declined by 41.2 per cent, and imports of iron and its products also dropped by 8.8 per cent during 2015, compared to the previous year.