Jordan's agricultural exports grow 14%: Agricultural modernization in the Middle East is accelerating

From Import Dependence to Export-Driven: Jordan’s Agricultural Structural Transformation

Jordan’s agriculture sector delivered an impressive performance in the first half of 2026: total agricultural exports reached 281,000 tons, a year-on-year increase of 14%. Behind this figure lies not only short-term market fluctuations, but also an acceleration of agricultural modernization in the Middle East. As a country severely lacking in water resources, Jordan’s growth in agricultural exports indicates a shift from traditional subsistence farming toward high-value-added, export-oriented agriculture.

Diversified Export Structure: Vegetables, Fruits, Livestock & Poultry Products Flourish

Data show that vegetable exports remain the mainstay, growing 13.1% to 197,000 tons; fruit exports increased by 18% to 83,000 tons. More striking are livestock and poultry products: hatching egg exports surged 159% to 77 million units, table eggs rose 71% to 134 million units, and live sheep exports reached 163,000 head. This broad-based growth demonstrates that Jordan’s agriculture has formed a diversified export product matrix, no longer relying on a single category.

Eggs and Live Animals: The Rise of High-Value-Added Products

The explosive growth in egg exports—especially hatching eggs (used for poultry farming)—highlights Jordan’s competitiveness in breeding stock and farming technology. The increase in table egg exports benefits from rising regional demand for safe, high-quality protein. The scale of live sheep exports at 163,000 head suggests that Jordan already holds a regional advantage in livestock breeding and animal health management.

Driving Factors: Economic Modernization Vision and Government-Private Sector Synergy

Minister of Agriculture Saeb Abdul Halim Khreisat explicitly attributed the growth to the “Economic Modernization Vision” and its implementation plan. The core of this strategy is to push agriculture from traditional farming toward modern, market-oriented transformation. Specific measures include: improving product quality standards to meet international requirements, strengthening coordination between the Ministry of Agriculture, the private sector, and farmers, and actively exploring new export markets while consolidating existing partnerships.

Notably, in the agricultural modernization plan launched in 2025, Jordan invested heavily in cold chain logistics, smart irrigation, and quality inspection systems. These infrastructure improvements provide hardware support for export growth. In addition, optimized trade agreements with traditional markets such as Gulf states, Iraq, and Syria have reduced export barriers.

Impact on Jordan’s Economy: Improved Trade Balance and Job Creation

The sustained growth of agricultural exports is effectively improving Jordan’s trade balance. As an importer of energy and food, Jordan partially offsets its current account deficit by expanding agricultural exports. Ministry of Agriculture data show that the sector created more jobs in the first half of 2026, especially in rural areas. The minister emphasized that agriculture has become a key pillar supporting the national economy, rather than a marginal industry.

Lessons for Brazilian Agriculture: An Efficiency Race Under Resource ScarcityAlthough this article focuses on Jordan, Brazilian agricultural practitioners can draw two key insights: First, countries with scarce water resources can still achieve export growth through technology and management, and Brazil, with relatively abundant water resources, has even greater potential to improve agricultural efficiency; second, there is significant room for growth in exports of non-traditional agricultural products such as eggs and live animals. As one of the world's largest exporters of chicken and beef, Brazil can learn from Jordan's practices in breeding poultry and live animal trade to further diversify its export structure.