Exports of Jordan’s leather and garment industries grew by 3% from the beginning of this year until the end of August, compared to the same period in 2024, reflecting the sector’s resilience and ability to adapt to external challenges.
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According to Eng. Ihab Qadri, the sector’s representative at the Jordan Chamber of Industry, exports reached $1.686 billion during this period, compared to $1.636 billion for the same period last year, with apparel accounting for 90% of total exports.
He noted that the rise in exports of apparel, carpets, and rugs came despite regional instability, which has affected trade and transport in some traditional markets.
Speaking to the Jordan News Agency (Petra), Qadri said the growth was driven by higher external demand for Jordanian products—particularly in European markets, where exports increased by 121% to Italy and 97% to Germany, reflecting growing confidence in the quality of Jordanian goods.
Arab markets also showed solid growth, with exports to Saudi Arabia rising by 24%, while Latin American markets expanded significantly, including a 20% increase to Mexico. Exports to the United States grew by 5%, despite new tariffs, underscoring the sector’s ability to maintain momentum and competitiveness in its traditional markets.
Qadri emphasized that the leather and garment sector is one of Jordan’s key export industries, accounting for 21% of total industrial exports during the same period—highlighting its vital role in supporting the national economy and creating jobs.
He explained that many Jordanian factories have invested in upgrading production lines and enhancing quality standards to meet European and international specifications, while leveraging free trade agreements with the EU and U.S., which have boosted the competitiveness of Jordanian products globally.
He also pointed to progress in establishing an integrated industrial cluster for the leather and garment industries, supported by the International Finance Corporation (IFC). The project has reached advanced stages, including the completion of feasibility studies, identification of incentives, and selection of the geographic location, in addition to launching promotional plans to attract investment and Jordanian labor.
Qadri described the project as a key initiative supporting Jordan’s Economic Modernization Vision, especially given challenges such as the shortage of raw materials, which make up about 60% of total production costs. The cluster aims to bridge supply chain gaps, reduce delivery times, and enhance the sector’s capacity to expand globally and increase export value.
The sector currently includes over 1,000 industrial establishments, providing around 96,000 jobs, of which 31% are held by Jordanians and 70% by women—making it one of the most empowering industries for Jordanian women and a significant contributor to social and economic development.
He added that every one Jordanian dinar produced by the sector contributes about 42 piasters in real added value to the GDP, reflecting high productivity and the sector’s strong economic impact.
Qadri affirmed that the Jordan Chamber of Industry, in cooperation with government bodies, continues to support the sector through initiatives and strategies designed to boost industrial growth and employment, strengthen vertical and horizontal integration, and expand the presence of Jordanian products in global markets in line with the pillars of the Economic Modernization Vision.
