Khaberni - Clothing exports and their accessories recorded a decrease during the first ten months of the current year by 2.4% compared to the same period of the previous year, according to the latest figures of official foreign trade.
According to numbers released by the Department of Statistics, the kingdom's exports of clothing and its accessories from the beginning of the current year until the end of October have reached 1.343 billion dinars compared to 1.376 billion dinars for the same period last year, according to Al-Ghad.
Based on these data, clothing exports accounted for 17.4% of the total national exports during the first ten months which reached 7.807 billion dinars.
Representative of the textile and leather industry sector in the Jordan Chamber of Industry, Eng. Ihab Qadri stated that despite a slight decline in clothing exports, they are still ranked first in terms of exported goods for several reasons, foremost of which is the growth and expansion achieved by the sector over the past years in many global markets, thus reaching more than 84 markets.
Qadri mentioned that the United States is considered the top destination for clothing exports, accounting for more than 80% in addition to traditional markets in the region and new export operations such as the European markets specifically Netherlands, Belgium and Germany.
Regarding the decline in the sector's exports, Qadri explained that the customs duties imposed by the United States at a rate of 15% had negatively impacted the clothing exports, which are among the sectors most tied to the American market in the presence of a free trade agreement signed between the two countries in addition to varying demand indicators in export markets.
According to the Department of Statistics, the value of Jordan's exports to the United States for various goods including clothing during the first ten months of the current year was 1.828 billion dinars compared to 1.995 billion dinars for the same period last year, a decline of 4.7%.
Jordan is linked with the United States by a free trade agreement since 2000, which came into effect in 2010 aimed at boosting economic, trade, and investment cooperation between the two countries, thus providing the Kingdom the significant opportunity to enhance its total exports to external markets.
U.S President Donald Trump had announced a series of new customs duties targeting 180 countries and regions around the world, including Jordan, in what he described as measures to protect the American economy and hold accountable the countries that do not treat the United States fairly, and they were implemented in early August of the current year.
Regarding the performance of the clothing sector exports for the year 2026, Qadri pointed out that predictions and indicators suggest positive growth in clothing exports in the upcoming period, in light of including the sector as a priority in the economic modernization vision and as one of the high-value-added sectors, where the vision included the necessity to enhance the competitiveness of the textile and leather sector and make Jordan a regional center for the fast-fashion industry with a significant impact on the global map.
He added that work has begun on the national strategy for the textile and leather sector launched by the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Supply for the years (2024-2026), aimed at achieving four main objectives in order to diversify and increase exports, enhance value chains, produce high-value-added goods, provide inclusive job opportunities for Jordanians, and a quicker transition towards sustainable production.
According to Qadri, the clothing manufacturing sector includes 1200 establishments across the kingdom employing about 90,000 workers.
