Amman, July 31 -- Industrial exports grew by 6.3% in the first five months of 2025, reaffirming the resilience of the industrial sector as a pillar of national economic growth, according to a statistical report by the Jordan Chamber of Industry.

Industrial exports totaled JD 3.3 billion by the end of May, compared to JD 3.1 billion in the same period last year, representing 92% of total national exports. The JD 302 million increase in export value was largely driven by growth in exports to Saudi Arabia and Iraq, which together accounted for nearly 50% of the overall industrial export growth.

Eight sub-sectors contributed to the increase, led by food, leather, and apparel industries, which made up 40% of the growth. The Chamber's analysis showed that Saudi Arabia topped the list of countries contributing to the growth, with a JD 91.6 million increase in imports from Jordan, followed by Syria (JD 72.2 million), India (JD 56 million), Iraq (JD 54 million), the United States (JD 20.9 million), and China (JD 15 million).

Non-traditional markets also showed strong growth, with exports to Ethiopia rising by JD 48 million, Djibouti by JD 24.4 million, and Thailand by JD 14.3 million. However, exports to several countries declined, most notably Switzerland (–JD 33.6 million), Palestine (–JD 26.5 million), Australia (–JD 12.1 million), Indonesia (–JD 11.2 million), Brazil (–JD 11 million), and South Korea (–JD 7 million).

Among sub-sectors, the food industry led growth with a JD 62 million increase, fueled by higher demand in Gulf, Iraqi, and East African markets, particularly for vegetable oils and canned goods. The chemical industry posted a JD 41 million increase, driven by rising exports of fertilizers, intermediate chemicals, and cosmetics, capitalizing on growing demand for phosphate- and potash-based products.

The construction materials sector added JD 33 million to export growth, supported by reconstruction and infrastructure demand in markets such as Iraq and Libya, boosting exports of ceramics, paints, and insulation materials.

On a product level, apparel and related goods led with a JD 46 million increase, followed by nitrogen-based fertilizers (JD 32 million), cement (JD 28.2 million), soap and detergents (JD 21 million), and cocoa and sugar-based products (JD 37.1 million). Electrical machinery and equipment exports rose by JD 16.2 million, highlighting the sector’s growing integration into regional and global supply chains.

Meanwhile, some product categories experienced notable declines, including gold and jewelry (–JD 57 million), ready-made textile apparel (–JD 56 million), inorganic chemicals (–JD 13.3 million), miscellaneous chemicals (–JD 10.2 million), raw phosphate (–JD 10 million), meat products (–JD 7 million), and copper (–JD 4 million).

The Chamber emphasized that sectoral and geographic diversity in the export structure strengthens Jordan's economic resilience and reduces risk exposure, aligning with the goals of the Economic Modernization Vision for a more sustainable and adaptable economy.

To build on current momentum, the Chamber called for improved logistics particularly land and air freight enhanced product competitiveness through innovation and quality, and targeted industrial promotion campaigns in emerging markets.

It also stressed the need to support emerging sectors such as green and tech industries and to improve coordination with Jordanian diplomatic and trade missions abroad to facilitate market access.

The Chamber concluded that sustaining export growth requires continued investment in export infrastructure and a strong public-private partnership to address production, energy, and transport costs ensuring Jordanian industry remains a key driver of economic development.

//Petra// AO

31/07/2025 14:37:08