Khaberni - Statistical data from the Jordan Chamber of Industry shows that exports from the leather and textile industry sector reached 1.428 billion dinars during the first ten months of the current year, compared to 1.453 billion dinars for the same period of 2024.
The statistical data indicated that the sector's exports recorded a slight decline of 2 percent during the first ten months of the year 2025, due to external pressures, most notably changes in the American market, against the continued growth of several subcategories with added value.
The sector's representative in the Jordan Chamber of Industry, Ihab Qadri, said that clothing products and accessories continued to lead the list of exported goods, based on the sector's expansion and growth in global markets over the past years, where the sector's exports reached more than 82 markets around the world.
He explained that the United States remains the primary export destination for Jordanian clothing, accounting for more than 80% of total clothing exports, pointing out that despite recent challenges related to customs duties, the sector's exports to the American market have recorded a slight growth of 1%, coinciding with notable expansion towards the European markets, especially the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany, reflecting the sector's flexibility and ability to diversify its export markets.
As for the reasons for the decline recorded in total exports, Qadri pointed out that the United States imposed a 15% customs duty at the beginning of August last year under the emergency law, which directly reflected on the pace of exports of garments manufactured in the kingdom as they are most linked to the American market.
He noted a clear variance in the performance of the sector's categories, where the exports of garments and its derivatives from manufacturers decreased by 2 percent to reach 1.342 billion dinars, against a notable growth in non-manufactured garments by 16 percent to reach 39 million dinars, while exports of carpets and flooring from textile materials increased by 15% to reach 35 million dinars.
According to Engineer Qadri, some categories registered significant growth, among them filling and felting, nonwoven fabrics, and special yarns with a growth rate of 172%, in addition to leather goods, travel accessories, and handbags which increased by 76%.
Also, leather with natural and artificial fur and its products increased by 52%, reflecting improved performance of specialized products with higher added value.
In contrast, exports of shoes and their parts decreased by 28% and raw and tanned leather by 41%, along with other textile categories.
Qadri confirmed that the leather and textile industries sector is one of the industrial sectors generating the highest added value, with a rate reaching about 42% of the total production, pointing out that the leather and textile industries sector comprises about 1000 industrial establishments employing around 96,000 workers, making it one of the main pillars of industrial activity and employment in the kingdom.
Regarding future prospects, Engineer Qadri pointed out that the indicators and forecasts for clothing exports for the year 2026 are positive, especially with the sector being included among the priorities of the economic modernization vision, which aims to enhance the competitiveness of the leather and textile industries, and transform Jordan into a regional center for fast fashion with a global presence.
He mentioned that work is currently underway on implementing the national strategy for the leather and textile sector launched by the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Supply, alongside moving forward in establishing a specialized cluster for garment industry, as one of the strategic projects aimed at enhancing value chains, addressing challenges of raw material scarcity, and opening new investment prospects for the sector.
Qadri affirmed that despite the challenges, the sector continues to progress in enhancing its global export presence, while maintaining the American market and expanding its reach in Europe, in addition to the increasing openness to markets in the Middle East, Gulf countries, and Asia, which strengthens the Jordanian industry's ability to adapt and grow sustainably.
According to a report by the Jordan Chamber of Industry, the leather and textile industries sector has untapped export opportunities valued at about 846 million dollars, distributed over products of clothing, carpets, rugs, home textiles, and textile products.
