Amman – Industrial sector specialists said the 11.4% increase in Jordanian national exports to European Union countries during the first eight months of this year reflects the growing competitiveness of Jordanian products in international markets, as well as improvements in production quality and compliance with technical standards and importers’ requirements.
Experts noted that making greater use of trade agreements and rules of origin could open up wider opportunities for national industry, particularly by tapping into an estimated $925 million in annual export opportunities to Europe that remain unexploited.
Speaking to Al Ghad, experts said the European market represents an important and promising destination for Jordanian products, with opportunities across engineering, electrical, chemical, pharmaceutical, garment and food industries.
They added that growth recorded in several traditional and emerging European markets highlights the importance of continuing to diversify export destinations and products, increasing participation in international exhibitions and trade missions, and building long-term partnerships with European importers and companies.
Experts stressed that maintaining export growth and expanding market share will require addressing challenges related to production, energy, shipping and logistics costs, keeping pace with technical and environmental requirements and sustainability standards, investing in technology, and increasing the added value of national products.
Jordanian exports to EU countries rose by 11.4% during the first eight months of this year, reaching JD 411 million, compared with JD 369 million during the same period last year, according to the latest foreign trade data released by the Department of Statistics.
The European Union comprises 27 countries and represents a market of more than 450 million people, offering Jordanian products opportunities to expand and increase their market share amid strong purchasing power and diverse demand.
Al-Jaghbeer: $926 Million in Untapped Export Opportunities in Europe
Chairman of the Jordan and Amman Chambers of Industry, Eng. Fathi Al-Jaghbeer, said the rise in Jordanian exports to EU countries reflects the ability of national industry to strengthen its presence in European markets and benefit from available trade opportunities, despite challenges affecting international trade and supply chains.
He said several traditional European markets had maintained their importance, particularly the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany, where Jordanian exports increased by 45.9%, 46% and 16.3%, respectively.
Meanwhile, several non-traditional markets recorded notable growth, led by Denmark at 280.2%, Poland at 243.2% and Romania at 143.8%, compared with the same period last year.
Al-Jaghbeer attributed this performance to improvements in the national industry’s production and export capabilities, better product quality and the ability to meet international market requirements. He also pointed to the diversity of Jordan’s industrial base, manufacturers’ accumulated experience in dealing with international importers, and the benefits provided by the Jordan-EU Association Agreement and related rules-of-origin arrangements.
Jordanian exports to the EU are diversified across several sectors. Engineering, electrical and information technology industries ranked first, with exports worth approximately JD 212.3 million, representing growth of 38.3%.
Chemical industries and cosmetics followed with exports of JD 183.4 million, up 17.5%, while leather and garment industries recorded exports of JD 119.1 million, an increase of 15.7%.
Food, agricultural, livestock and related industries registered growth of 47.9%, with exports reaching JD 43.1 million.
Al-Jaghbeer added that several Jordanian products had achieved notable export performance in European markets. These included natural potash salts exported to Belgium, worth JD 104.7 million, up 20.6%, and knitted garments made from other textile materials exported to the Netherlands, worth JD 99.1 million, an increase of 22.3%.
Exports of shelled pistachios to Italy also rose by 159%, reaching approximately JD 40 million.
Exports of aluminium sheets and plates increased by 347.4% to JD 16.7 million, while exports of other food preparations rose by 48.4% to JD 13.8 million.
He said these indicators demonstrate the diversity of exported products and the varying contributions of industrial sectors, while creating opportunities to build on products recording positive growth and develop new, higher-value-added goods.
Al-Jaghbeer stressed that Jordanian industrial products have important competitive advantages in European markets, supported by product diversity, production and export expertise, the ability to meet quality standards and delivery schedules, Jordan’s geographical location, and its network of trade agreements with international markets.
He explained that competition in the EU is not based on price alone. It also depends on product quality, innovation, compliance with technical and environmental standards, sustainability and traceability requirements, the ability to supply consistent quantities, and responsiveness to importers’ needs.
Strengthening market share, he said, requires greater investment in modern technology, automation, research and development, improved productivity and supply-chain efficiency, expansion into specialised and high-value-added products, and the development of long-term commercial relationships with European importers and brands.
Al-Jaghbeer noted that untapped export opportunities for Jordanian products across the EU’s 27 member states are estimated at approximately $926 million, highlighting considerable potential to increase exports and expand into new markets and product categories.
He added that boosting Jordanian exports to Europe requires continued efforts to address challenges involving production, shipping, transport and logistics costs, international competition, technical compliance requirements, and obtaining the necessary certificates and accreditations.
Other challenges include environmental sustainability requirements, tracing raw material sources, compliance with safety and quality standards, and evolving European regulations concerning carbon footprints, including the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) for covered goods.
Al-Khudari: Product Quality and Stable Prices Support Export Growth
Chairman of the Jordanian Exporters Association, Senator Ahmad Al-Khudari, said the growth of Jordanian exports to markets around the world reflects the quality of national products and their ability to meet international market requirements.
He noted that product quality and stable prices are key factors in strengthening competitiveness and increasing demand.
Al-Khudari said manufacturers’ and exporters’ continued monitoring of global markets had helped strengthen the presence of Jordanian products abroad. He added that EU markets are important and promising destinations for national exports, offering significant opportunities for expansion and increased trade.
He explained that activating rules of origin had encouraged Jordanian exporters to pay greater attention to European markets, creating opportunities to focus on these destinations and benefit from available trade arrangements. He stressed the importance of continuing to monitor market requirements and strengthen Jordan’s presence there.
The Jordanian Exporters Association, he said, is keen to participate in specialised international exhibitions, particularly the Private Label trade fair held in Amsterdam.
The association is currently arranging Jordanian participation in exhibitions and markets in Norway and Sweden as part of efforts to expand access to countries across Europe.
Al-Khudari emphasised the importance of continued participation in international exhibitions and organising trade missions, which allow Jordanian exporters to showcase their products and establish new business relationships.
He stressed that product quality, price stability and continuous market monitoring remain essential pillars of sustained growth in national exports.
Al-Samadi: European Market Offers Opportunities for Industrial Partnerships and Investment
Chairman of the European Chamber of Commerce in Jordan, Mohammad Al-Samadi, said the increase in Jordanian exports to EU countries reflects genuine progress in the ability of Jordanian industry to access international markets, particularly in Europe.
He explained that the European market represents a real test of industrial product quality, compliance with standards and the ability to maintain consistent supplies. The presence of Jordanian products in these markets, he said, demonstrates that the Kingdom has an industrial base capable of competing internationally.
Al-Samadi noted that competitiveness should not be measured solely by export volumes, but also by companies’ ability to retain their markets, increase the number of exporting products and businesses, and raise added value.
He stressed the importance of turning current export growth into sustainable industrial expansion that creates jobs and strengthens the international presence of Jordanian products.
He added that increasing exports to European markets involves more than selling larger quantities of products. It also means integrating Jordanian factories into European supply chains, manufacturing for European brands, and establishing partnerships with importers and distributors.
Competition requires enabling Jordanian products to strengthen their position through quality, flexibility, responsiveness and reliable supply. This, he said, calls for a shift from general export promotion towards targeting specific European companies and buyers and building long-term business relationships with them.
Al-Samadi identified the main challenges facing Jordanian industry in European markets as energy and production input costs, financing, shipping and logistics expenses, in addition to requirements related to product quality, safety, sustainability and environmental impact documentation.
He noted that the European Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism entered its definitive phase in 2026 and covers specific sectors, including fertilisers and certain emissions-intensive industries.
He stressed the importance of supporting factories in improving energy efficiency, adopting renewable energy, upgrading technology and securing the financing needed for the green transition.
Al-Samadi said the Jordan-EU Investment Conference, scheduled for November 19, represents an opportunity to strengthen economic partnerships, particularly with more than 40 investment opportunities worth a combined total of over $15 billion being presented.
These opportunities cover technology, energy, high-value industries, logistics, infrastructure and water security.
Regarding the Jordan-EU Association Agreement, Al-Samadi said it had provided an important framework for free trade and economic cooperation since entering into force in 2002, particularly in industrial products. Preferential arrangements and simplified rules of origin had also helped create additional opportunities for several Jordanian industrial sectors.
He emphasised the important role of the European Chamber of Commerce in Jordan in connecting Jordanian companies with their European counterparts, identifying suitable partners, assisting investors and following up on investment opportunities until they develop into actual projects.
Such efforts, he said, would strengthen industrial partnerships, facilitate technology transfer, and support production and exports.
Source: Al Ghad Newspaper
