RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia’s trade surplus continued at the start of 2026. The Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) reported that the surplus in January reached USD 0.95 billion.

BPS Deputy for Distribution and Services Statistics, Ateng Hartono, said the surplus was supported by the non-oil and gas sector, which remained strong despite significant annual growth in imports. “With this achievement, Indonesia’s trade balance has been in surplus for 69 consecutive months,” Ateng said in Jakarta on Monday, March 2, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

BPS noted that the non-oil and gas surplus stood at USD 3.22 billion, while the oil and gas balance recorded a USD 2.27 billion deficit. This shows the surplus’s reliance on commodities outside the energy sector.

Ateng said the main contributors to the non-oil and gas surplus were animal and vegetable fats and oils (HS15), amounting to USD 3.10 billion. Mineral fuels (HS27) contributed USD 2.16 billion, while iron and steel (HS72) added USD 1.51 billion.

Exports in January reached USD 22.16 billion, an increase of 3.39 percent year-on-year. Non-oil and gas exports accounted for USD 21.26 billion, up 4.38 percent year-on-year.

Ateng explained that the surge in non-oil and gas exports was mainly driven by animal and vegetable fats and oils, which rose 46.05 percent. Nickel and nickel products increased by 42.04 percent, while machinery and electronic equipment grew by 16.27 percent.

Meanwhile, imports in January reached USD 21.20 billion, up 18.21 percent compared to January 2025. Non-oil and gas imports were the primary driver of the increase.

“The oil and gas import value was USD 3.17 billion, an increase of 27.52 percent year-on-year. Non-oil and gas imports reached USD 18.04 billion, up 16.71 percent year-on-year,” Ateng said.

BPS recorded increases across all import usage groups, particularly raw or auxiliary materials, which rose 14.67 percent, and capital goods, which grew 35.32 percent.

By trading partner, Indonesia recorded its largest surpluses with the United States (USD 1.55 billion), India (USD 1.07 billion), and the Philippines (USD 0.69 billion). The deepest deficits were with China at USD 2.47 billion, followed by Australia at USD 0.96 billion and France at USD 0.47 billion. ***