Xifres de comerç exterior de Jordània

Foreign Trade in Figures

Jordan is very open to international trade to the extent that it is dependent on foreign capital; however, its relative share of GDP has diminished considerably after 2014 and is estimated at 100% (World Bank, latest data available). Exports are spearheaded by special garments (14.8%), potassic fertilisers (7.3%), natural calcium phosphates (6.7%), diphosphorus pentaoxide (6.6%), and articles of jewellery (6.5%); whereas imports are led by petroleum oils (7.1%), motor cars (6.3%), gold (5.3%), petroleum oils (4.1%), and fabrics (2.3% - data Comtrade for 2023).

The United States was by far the main destination for Jordanian exports (22.9% of all exports in 2023), followed by India (13.7%), Saudi Arabia (11.5%), Iraq (7.5%), and the United Arab Emirates (4.3%). On the other hand, China (17.5%), Saudi Arabia (14.2%), the United States (6.4%), India (6.0%), and the UAE (5.3%) were the main suppliers in 2023 (data Comtrade). Jordan is a member of the WTO and signed a free-trade agreement with the U.S. in 2001, allowing the removal of customs duties on the majority of goods and services since 2010 when it was fully implemented. Jordan has also signed an Agreement of Association with the EU. In addition to the United States, Jordan is also party to bilateral trade agreements with Canada and Singapore and is a signatory to several regional trade agreements including the European Free Trade Association (Norway, Switzerland, Liechtenstein), Greater Arab Free Trade Agreement (GAFTA), and Aghadir Agreement (Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia) which is connected to the Association Agreement (EU).

Jordan's trade balance is structurally in deficit, mainly because of the country's reliance on hydrocarbon imports. The exports of goods were stable at USD 12.7 billion and the imports to USD 25.4 billion in 2023 (-6.9% year-on-year - data WTO). However, the country is a net service exporter (USD 10.4 billion in exports against USD 5.9 billion in imports in 2023). The World Bank estimated the country’s trade deficit at 13.2% of GDP in the same year (from 19% in 2022). In 2024, six industrial products dominated Jordan's exports, accounting for 57% of total exports valued at JOD 8.579 billion (USD 12.1 billion), according to the Department of Statistics. Apparel and accessories led with a 19.4% share and a 25.6% year-on-year growth, reaching JOD 1.665 billion. Chemical fertilisers followed with 11.1%, while pharmaceuticals contributed 7.1%, growing 14.8% to JOD 611 million. While apparel and pharmaceuticals saw growth, traditional sectors underperformed. Chemical fertilisers fell 2.3% to JOD 955 million, jewellery dropped 21.5% to JOD 648 million, raw potash declined 28.4% to JOD 466 million, and phosphate exports decreased 9.3% to JOD 547 million.