RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia recorded a trade surplus of USD 3.32 billion in March 2026, extending a surplus streak to 71 consecutive months since May 2020. The result continued resilience in the country’s external sector amid global uncertainty.

Indonesia's Trade Minister, Budi Santoso, said the March surplus was driven by the non-oil and gas sector, which posted a USD 5.21 billion surplus, while the oil and gas sector recorded a USD 1.89 billion deficit. “The continued surplus in March 2026 shows that Indonesia’s trade fundamentals remain strong,” he said in a written statement on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.

Cumulatively, Indonesia’s trade balance reached a surplus of USD 5.55 billion in January–March 2026. The figure consisted of a USD 10.63 billion non-oil and gas surplus and a USD 5.08 billion oil and gas deficit.

Key contributors to the non-oil and gas surplus included animal or vegetable fats and oils (HS 15) at USD 8.68 billion, mineral fuels (HS 27) at USD 6.22 billion, and iron and steel (HS 72) at USD 4.29 billion. These commodities remained the main drivers of trade performance during the period.

In bilateral trade, the largest non-oil and gas surplus came from trade with United States at USD 5.06 billion. This was followed by trade with India at USD 3.36 billion and the Philippines at USD 2.05 billion.

Indonesia’s exports reached USD 22.53 billion in March 2026, growing 1.62 percent month-to-month. The monthly increase was driven by a 18.60 percent surge in oil and gas exports, while non-oil and gas exports rose 0.75 percent.

Several commodities recorded significant increases, including ores, slag, and ash (HS 26), which rose 8,055.36 percent, aluminum (HS 76) at 112.99 percent, and precious metals and jewelry (HS 71) at 98.89 percent. Export growth was also supported by higher demand from key partners such as Hong Kong, Thailand, and Taiwan.

Total exports for January–March 2026 reached USD 66.85 billion, up 0.34 percent compared to the same period in 2025. Non-oil and gas exports grew 0.98 percent to USD 63.60 billion, while oil and gas exports declined 10.58 percent to USD 3.25 billion.

The manufacturing sector remained the main driver of export growth, accounting for 82.25 percent of total exports in the first quarter. “Throughout the first three months of 2026, export growth was driven by the manufacturing sector, which rose 3.96 percent,” the minister said.

Meanwhile, the top export gains were recorded in nickel and related products (HS 75) at 60.60 percent, tin (HS 80) at 49.09 percent, aluminum (HS 76) at 40.97 percent, organic chemicals (HS 29) at 21.44 percent, and inorganic chemicals (HS 28) at 14.46 percent. The increases were influenced by global price trends and demand from trading partners.

Exports to several markets showed strong growth, including Spain at 38.86 percent, Egypt at 25.43 percent, China at 17.49 percent, Thailand at 13.58 percent, and the Netherlands at 11.37 percent. Non-traditional markets such as Central Asia, North Africa, East Asia, South America, and West Africa also recorded positive performance.