Indonesia’s Exports Grow 4.13 Percent in January–June 2026

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – Indonesia’s export performance showed signs of strengthening in the first half of 2026, driven in part by rising non‑oil and gas exports that helped improve the national trade balance.

The Ministry of Trade reported that non‑oil and gas exports in June 2026 reached USD 24.39 billion, an increase of 8.68 percent from USD 22.45 billion in May.

Trade Minister Budi Santoso said the rise in exports helped narrow Indonesia’s trade deficit in June 2026. “The Ministry will continue to drive export growth, including by expanding export markets and fostering new exporters to maintain a surplus,” Budi said in a statement in Jakarta on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, as quoted on the Ministry’s official website.

Indonesia’s total exports -- oil and gas and non‑oil and gas -- reached USD 25.46 billion in June, up 9.72 percent from the previous month. Export volume also increased by 3.31 percent to 56.52 million metric tons.

“Our exports from January to June 2026 grew by 4.13 percent, and cumulatively, we still have a surplus of USD 3.58 billion,” Minister Budi said.

The trade balance during that period remained in surplus at USD 3.58 billion, supported by a non‑oil and gas surplus of USD 19.35 billion and an oil and gas deficit of USD 15.77 billion.

He noted that rising global oil prices were among the factors putting pressure on the trade balance. The escalation of conflict in the Strait of Hormuz pushed oil prices from USD 60–65 per barrel in February 2026 to above USD 100 per barrel in April–May.

This surge increased the unit value of imports. The unit value of oil and gas imports rose from USD 689 per metric ton in March to USD 1,042 per metric ton in May, before easing to USD 869 per metric ton in June.

For non‑oil and gas commodities, the unit value of imports increased from USD 968 per metric ton in March to USD 1,081 per metric ton in June. Overall, the average import value per metric ton rose from USD 907 to USD 1,036.

Minister Budi said April–May marked the peak of global oil prices, with prices reaching around USD 110 per barrel. As a result, the unit import value per metric ton in May increased and continued to rise through June.

“If we compare the unit value of imports per metric ton in March and June, the increase reached 14.24 percent. This is one of the reasons why our import value has risen,” he said.

To maintain export momentum, the Ministry is expanding market access through 25 trade agreements already in effect. Two agreements are awaiting ratification, and 13 others remain under negotiation.

The Ministry is also relying on 46 Indonesian Trade Promotion Centers (ITPCs) in 33 countries to open market opportunities, including for MSMEs.

In addition, the electronic Certificate of Origin (e‑SKA) system has been in place since 2025 to facilitate trade with the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, Japan, China, South Korea, Australia, and Pakistan. ***