Iraq-Jordan trade falls 30% in first quarter, economist says

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Economist Manar al-Ubaydi said trade between Iraq and Jordan fell by 30% in the first quarter of 2026 compared with the same period last year. He said total trade between the two countries reached $479 million in the period, down from $684 million in the same quarter a year earlier. Al-Ubaydi, who heads the Iraq Future Institute, said Jordanian exports to Iraq declined by 12%, while the value of re-exports dropped by 38%. Iraq’s exports to Jordan saw the sharpest fall, decreasing by 73% from $73 million to $20 million. He said Jordan mainly sells fertilizer, medical supplies, medicines and food products to Iraq. Iraq’s exports to Jordan consist largely of oil and petroleum products. Official data show Iraq ranked second among Arab countries importing from Jordan in the first half of last year.