Jordanian national exports have strengthened their presence in European Union (EU) markets during the first third of the current year, recording a 14.4% increase. The value of these exports rose to JD 143 million, compared to JD 125 million during the same period last year.
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This rise reflects an improvement in the pace of trade exchange between Jordan and the EU, amid ongoing efforts to enhance access to European markets and diversify the export base.
According to figures monitored by the Jordan News Agency (Petra), based on foreign trade data from the Department of Statistics, the value of Jordan’s imports from EU countries during the first third of this year reached JD 986 million, up from JD 900 million during the same period last year—an increase of 9.6%.
Trade exchange between Jordan and EU countries during this period amounted to JD 1.129 billion, compared to JD 1.025 billion in the same period last year.
Meanwhile, Jordan’s trade deficit with EU countries reached JD 843 million in the first third of this year, compared to JD 775 million during the same period last year.
Italy topped the list of EU countries importing Jordanian goods, with exports reaching JD 21 million, up from JD 16 million in the same period last year—a growth of 31.3%.
Italy also topped the list of EU countries exporting to Jordan, with Jordan’s imports from Italy reaching JD 187 million, compared to JD 149 million last year—an increase of 25.5%.
The top Jordanian exports to the EU include garments, fertilizers, pharmaceuticals, chemical products, and various agricultural goods.
Meanwhile, key imports from the EU include vehicles, machinery and industrial equipment, pharmaceutical and medical products, chemicals, electrical appliances and electronics, and food products.
Engineer Mohammad Al-Samadi, board member and promotion director of the Jordanian-European Business Association (JEBA), told Petra that this positive growth reflects a gradual improvement in the competitiveness of Jordanian products in European markets. He attributed this to several factors, including the benefit exporters gained from simplified rules of origin under the EU agreement, and higher adherence to EU standards in several export sectors.
He noted that JEBA has intensified its promotional efforts and communications with European business entities to enhance trade opportunities and facilitate access for Jordanian products into new EU markets. Participation in European exhibitions and events has also boosted the visibility of Jordanian products and opened direct channels with importers.
Al-Samadi highlighted promising opportunities for expanding Jordanian exports, especially in green sectors, technology, and creative industries. He emphasized the importance of leveraging this positive momentum by supporting innovation and improving the business environment.
However, he pointed out that challenges remain for exporters—particularly high shipping costs, strict European quality standards, and limited technical know-how among some small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) regarding market access mechanisms.
He called for intensified government and private sector efforts to overcome these obstacles through technical and financial support programs, as well as continued improvements to export-related administrative and customs procedures.
Al-Samadi also stressed the need to review existing free trade agreements—especially the EU partnership agreement—to optimize benefits. He noted that the agreement currently includes lengthy and complex conditions for exporting some agricultural and food products. He reiterated that the primary goal of such agreements is to boost Jordanian exports, support overall economic growth, create jobs, and increase foreign currency reserves.
He urged swift implementation of a comprehensive national traceability system for food and animal products—particularly cheese, processed meats, and dairy. Such a system would record all data and information along the supply chain, ensuring efficient resource use, improved production quality, and transparency.
This traceability system, he explained, is a key requirement for gaining access to high-standard international markets, such as the EU and the United States, which mandate the presence of such systems for their imports.
He concluded by stating that meeting these standards not only enhances confidence in Jordanian products but also opens the door to massive markets of over 1.1 billion consumers. This maximizes the benefits of bilateral and multilateral trade agreements.
Al-Samadi confirmed that boosting Jordanian exports to Europe represents a vital path for sustainable economic growth, calling for expanded partnerships with the European private sector and the activation of technical and trade cooperation programs to ensure continued progress and achieve more ambitious outcomes in the near future.
(Petra News Agency)
