Jordan: Boosting agricultural earnings

The agricultural sector is becoming more modernised and export-oriented, with an emphasis placed on increasing output and quality, as well as nurturing niche areas. Despite a number of challenges, particularly regional unrest severely curtailing exports to and through Syria, Jordan is in a strong position to leverage its competitive advantages as an agricultural producer.

One of the most pressing issues is the disruption caused by the increasing violence in Syria. The kingdom exports considerable amounts of fresh produce to its northern neighbour – in 2011 it exported 13,761 tonnes of fruit and 204,916 tonnes of vegetables to Syria, second in volume to Iraq – and uses transit routes through the country to deliver agricultural goods to Turkey and Europe, which are important markets for the sector.