Jordan Achieves Trade Surplus with 11 Arab Countries in 2025

Amman, 4 March 2026 (Petra) – Jordan trade balance achieved a surplus with 11 countries within the Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA) during 2025, as the Kingdom continues its efforts to bolster its presence in Arab markets.

This positive performance aligns with the goals of the Economic Modernization Vision and reflects the growing competitiveness of national exports in Arab markets, alongside the expansion of Jordan’s regional trade partnerships.

According to foreign trade statistics issued by the Department of Statistics (DoS), national exports to GAFTA countries grew by 10.2 percent in 2025, reaching 3.952 billion JOD compared to 3.585 billion JOD in 2024. Meanwhile, imports from GAFTA countries reached 5.444 billion JOD, marking a 7.3 percent increase from 5.073 billion JOD recorded in 2024.

GAFTA countries ranked first among Jordan’s trade partners during 2025, accounting for 41 percent of the total value of national exports.

Jordan’s trade deficit with GAFTA countries stood at 1.492 billion JOD in 2025, slightly higher than the 1.488 billion JOD recorded in 2024. The total trade volume between Jordan and GAFTA countries reached approximately 9.396 billion JOD in 2025, compared with 8.658 billion JOD in 2024.

Jordan achieved a trade surplus with several GAFTA countries during 2025, including Lebanon, Yemen, Libya, Qatar, Morocco, Kuwait, Syria, Palestine, Algeria, Iraq, and Bahrain. In contrast, the Kingdom recorded a trade deficit with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Oman, Tunisia, and Sudan.

Saudi Arabia held the largest share of Jordanian exports to GAFTA countries in 2025, reaching approximately 1.230 billion JOD, reflecting a 9 percent increase. Iraq followed with exports valued at 990 million JOD, marking an 8.6 percent rise. Jordanian exports to Syria also witnessed remarkable growth, reaching 252 million JOD, representing a 358.2 percent increase.

At the same time, Saudi Arabia ranked as the leading source of Jordan’s imports, with imports totaling about 2.95 billion JOD. Consequently, Jordan’s trade deficit with Saudi Arabia reached approximately 1.72 billion JOD in 2025.

Jordan’s exports to GAFTA countries primarily include fertilizers, pharmaceuticals, agricultural products such as fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables, salts, skincare products, food preparations, furniture, textiles, clothing, and paints.

Imports from GAFTA countries include a wide range of goods, most notably crude oil and its derivatives, jewelry, food products, plastic sheets and plates, titanium oxide, polyethylene, polystyrene, iron and related products, in addition to other commodities.

Overall, national exports increased by 9.9 percent in 2025 to reach 9.624 billion JOD, while re-exports rose by 12.3 percent to 959 million JOD. This brought the total value of exports to 10.583 billion JOD, representing a 10.1 percent increase compared with 2024.

The Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA) is an economic alliance aimed at strengthening regional economic integration and facilitating low-tariff trade among Arab countries. The agreement came into effect in January 2005 and currently includes 18 member states.