Jordan's food manufacturing sector recorded strong export performance during the first eight months of 2026, driven by growing international demand for Jordanian food products and expansion into export markets, reflecting improvements in the production capacity and competitiveness of the country's food industries.
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Statistical data from the Jordan Chamber of Industry showed that the sector's exports increased by 16.3% during the period, reaching JD 703 million, compared with JD 605 million in the same period of 2025.
Mohammad Al-Jaitan, representative of the food, catering, agricultural and livestock industries at the Jordan Chamber of Industry and the chamber's vice president, told the Jordan News Agency (Petra) that growth was reflected not only in higher export values but also in the diversification of markets and products contributing to the increase.
Al-Jaitan said exports recorded notable growth in several Arab markets, alongside an expanding presence in European markets, highlighting further opportunities to diversify export destinations and sustain growth.
Exports to Syria increased by 110% during the first eight months of this year, reaching JD 26 million, compared with approximately JD 13 million during the same period last year.
Exports to Palestine rose by 83% to approximately JD 27 million, an increase of JD 12 million compared with the corresponding period in 2025, reflecting the growing presence of Jordanian food products in that market.
European markets are also emerging as promising destinations for Jordanian food industries. Exports to the Netherlands increased by 47% during the first eight months of 2026, reaching JD 13 million, compared with JD 9 million in the same period last year.
Al-Jaitan said growth in the Dutch market was particularly significant given the country's commercial and logistical position within Europe, which could create opportunities to reach new importers and distributors and strengthen the presence of Jordanian food products across European markets. He stressed that this expansion depends on meeting quality, food safety and technical standards.
He said the figures highlighted the importance of looking beyond traditional export destinations, exploring new markets and diversifying the importer base. The variety of products manufactured by Jordan's food industries offers opportunities to reach different consumer groups and markets.
Key Export Markets
Saudi Arabia retained its position as the largest destination for Jordanian food industry exports, receiving approximately JD 161 million worth of products during the first eight months of 2026, compared with JD 149 million in the same period last year, representing growth of 8%.
Iraq ranked second, with exports reaching JD 147 million, up from JD 112 million in the corresponding period of 2025, an increase of 34.3%. Iraq was among the largest contributors to the overall growth in sector exports.
Exports to the United Arab Emirates increased by 4% to JD 74 million, while shipments to Qatar rose by 34% to approximately JD 38 million. Exports to Kuwait increased by 19% to around JD 29 million.
In contrast, exports to the United States declined by 21% during the first eight months of the year, falling to approximately JD 29 million from JD 36 million in the same period last year. Exports to Yemen also dropped by 4% to JD 19 million.
Al-Jaitan said these developments demonstrated the sector's ability to achieve overall growth despite declining exports to some markets, supported by stronger demand in others. He stressed the importance of diversifying export destinations and enabling factories to adapt to changes in external demand.
He noted that Arab markets remain the main foundation of Jordanian food exports, benefiting from geographical proximity and established trade relations. However, sustaining growth requires gradual expansion into additional markets, particularly in Europe, to broaden the reach of national products and reduce geographical concentration risks.
Leading Exported Products
Among product categories, assorted food preparations topped the list of exported goods, with a value of JD 95 million during the first eight months of 2026, compared with JD 77 million in the same period last year, marking growth of 24%.
Manufactured tobacco and substitutes ranked next, with exports worth approximately JD 92 million, up 3%. Exports of prepared vegetables, fruits and other plant parts increased by 2% to JD 69 million.
Meat and meat preparations recorded growth of 36.6%, reaching approximately JD 93 million during the period, an increase of JD 25 million compared with the same period in 2025. This category was among the major contributors to the sector's export growth.
Exports of preparations based on cereals, flour, starch and milk, including bakery products and pastries, increased by 13% to JD 52 million.
Sugar and sugar confectionery exports rose by 8% to approximately JD 48 million, while coffee, tea and spices increased by 4% to JD 45 million.
Meanwhile, exports of cocoa and cocoa preparations declined by 24% during the first eight months of the year, falling to approximately JD 45 million from JD 56 million in the same period last year.
Al-Jaitan said the diversity of exported products and their varying growth rates reflected the sector's expanding production base and its ability to meet a wide range of international market needs. He stressed the importance of product development and broadening the range of competitive goods rather than relying on a limited number of products to drive export growth.
He added that the results for the first eight months of the year highlighted significant opportunities for Jordanian food industries to expand into non-traditional markets, particularly given the growth recorded in the Netherlands, while building on existing trade relations in Arab markets and exploring additional destinations.
Challenges and Opportunities for Expansion
Al-Jaitan explained that entering European markets requires adapting products to consumer preferences and complying with technical and health standards, food safety requirements, packaging regulations and traceability systems. It also requires establishing direct relationships with importers and distributors and making greater use of specialised international trade exhibitions.
He said export opportunities extend beyond traditional food products to include higher-value processed goods and specialised products targeting specific consumer groups, offering Jordanian manufacturers opportunities to enter more diverse markets.
He stressed that expanding into non-traditional markets requires a structured approach based on studying demand, competition and market-entry costs, identifying products in which Jordanian industries have competitive advantages, and strengthening the marketing and export capabilities of businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises.
Food manufacturing plants face several challenges related to production, energy, raw material, packaging and transport costs, in addition to competition from products originating in other countries and differences in technical, health and regulatory requirements across international markets.
The nature of food products also imposes additional requirements concerning food safety and quality, efficient storage and transportation, and cold-chain management for products that require it. Compliance with shelf-life requirements and delivery schedules makes the development of logistics services essential to improving the sector's competitiveness.
Al-Jaitan emphasised the importance of investing in food technology, product development, quality improvements and longer shelf lives, alongside better packaging solutions, more efficient production and reduced waste. These measures would strengthen the ability of Jordanian products to reach more distant markets while maintaining their quality throughout transportation and distribution.
He also stressed the need for stronger integration between food manufacturing, agriculture and supporting industries. This would help increase reliance on locally sourced inputs where economically viable, raise added value and strengthen supply-chain resilience.
Chamber Initiatives and Future Priorities
Al-Jaitan said the Jordan Chamber of Industry continues to work with sector representatives and relevant institutions to improve the competitiveness of food industries. Its efforts include monitoring challenges facing industrial establishments, providing economic studies and analyses of foreign markets, identifying export opportunities and helping factories benefit from trade agreements.
He highlighted the importance of developing innovation, research and development across the food industry to help businesses improve existing products, enhance quality and shelf life, and develop new products that respond to domestic and international market needs.
He also called for greater participation in international exhibitions and trade events, stronger direct engagement with importers and distributors, and better access to specialised information about non-traditional markets and their entry requirements. Such efforts would help manufacturers turn export opportunities into contracts and sustainable trade relationships.
Al-Jaitan concluded that the next phase requires greater diversification of markets and products, increased local added value, and continued development of production and technological capabilities to ensure sustainable export growth and increase the contribution of food industries to Jordan's national economy, investment and employment.
Source: Petra News Agency (citing the Jordan Chamber of Industry)
