RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – Indonesia’s trade balance recovery is increasingly evident, with monthly deficits narrowing as global oil prices begin to stabilize, according to Trade Minister Budi Santoso.

The minister expressed confidence that the country will return to a monthly surplus by mid‑year, while cumulative figures already reflect positive growth.

“We are optimistic that as oil prices stabilize, by June-July we will see monthly surpluses. Year‑on‑year, from January to July, the outlook is even stronger,” Minister Budi said in Jakarta on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

Exports rose 3.9 percent in January-June 2026, helping Indonesia record a cumulative surplus of USD 3.58 billion. The trade balance had slipped into deficit in May and June, but the shortfall eased from USD 1.6 billion in May to USD 450 million in June.

Minister Budi noted that without the impact of soaring oil prices--which spiked to USD 100-110 per barrel in March-April--Indonesia’s trade balance would have remained in surplus.

He added that efforts are underway to expand exports to Thailand through higher volumes and product diversification, citing complementary trade structures between the two countries.

The Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) confirmed the surplus figure, highlighting that non‑oil and gas commodities contributed USD 19.35 billion, while oil and gas still posted a USD 15.77 billion deficit in the first half of 2026. ***