Khaberni - The livestock export sector in Jordan has seen significant growth in quantities and economic value in recent years, making it a vital sector in supporting agricultural exports and strengthening national income. However, the sector faces regulatory and health challenges, most notably violations of exporting female sheep and the rising cost of local production that require proper management to ensure the sustainability of animal resources.
It is well known that Jordan holds an economic position in the regional livestock trade, focusing exports to the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, most notably Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar, which prefer Jordanian live livestock due to quality and nutritional value. The demand increases especially during religious and social seasons such as Ramadan and the Hajj and Umrah season, where the consumption of red meat increases significantly, highlighting the strategic importance of Gulf markets for Jordanian exports throughout the year.
The Animal Wealth sector in the Ministry of Agriculture oversees the export operations, determining the quantities allowed to be exported according to the local market situation to maintain a price balance between supply and demand. Jordan occasionally exports goats and young calves, but local sheep remain the most exported and represent the largest share of revenues.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture's data, Jordan exported about 750,000 heads of local sheep in 2024, while importing about a million heads to cover local demand. In the first half of 2025, exports reached about 590,000 heads, most of them sheep, especially to the Saudi market after lifting temporary restrictions. These figures reflect the sector's capacity to continue generating revenue and increasing the agricultural sector's contribution to the domestic product.
Despite the successes achieved by this sector, it is not without challenges and violations that affect its safety and sustainability, including violations of exporting female sheep. According to the regulations in the ministry, exporting females is prohibited to preserve the breeding capacity of the local herd, especially the Awassi breed. However, some reports have suggested allowing this during a particular period, which poses a risk to the sustainability of the herd, as exporting females leads to reduced breeding rates and the loss of Jordanian breeds, threatening long-term food security. Another challenge facing Jordanian farmers is financial pressure due to rising feed prices and costs of breeding, transportation, and veterinary care, along with partial dependence on imported feeds, which affects profit margins and weakens the competitiveness of local products.
Fluctuations in controlling and managing the export process with high professionalism can lead to a shortage locally and price increases within the Jordanian market, requiring careful monitoring and proper planning due to its various economic and social impacts. Livestock exports represent a primary source of income for thousands of farmers and sheep breeders in most of Jordan's governorates, particularly in Mafraq, Tafilah, and Ma'an. In Mafraq Governorate alone, more than 585,000 heads of sheep were exported during 2025, providing direct and indirect job opportunities in transportation, feed trade, veterinary services, and supporting rural and Bedouin communities.
To achieve the desired balance between economic return and preserving animal resources, Jordanian experts believe that success in this area can be achieved through implementing electronic tracking systems for sheep designated for export, expanding local breeding programs to renew the herd, supporting local feeds to reduce production costs and improve the quality of meat, and enhancing coordination between the Ministry of Agriculture and related entities to ensure continuous field monitoring and control.
In conclusion
Livestock export in Jordan remains a promising economic success story reflecting the expertise of Jordanian farmers and the quality of local production, but it requires precise management, effective monitoring, and strict accountability to preserve animal wealth as one of the most important elements of food security. Between market calculations and sustainability considerations, Jordan stands before an opportunity to develop this sector to remain a model of responsible export and balanced agricultural economy
#Supporting Jordanian farmers is a national duty surpassing all duties because they are the main arm of food security#
