RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia's economy showed solid performance in the first half of 2026. Statistics Indonesia (BPS) noted that Indonesia maintained a trade surplus, accompanied by an increase in rice and corn production as well as a surge in foreign tourist arrivals to the highest level since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Deputy for Distribution and Services Statistics at BPS, Ateng Hartono, said that Indonesia's trade balance for the January–June 2026 period recorded a cumulative surplus of US$3.58 billion. During the first six months of this year, the export value reached US$40.81 billion, higher than imports which amounted to US$37.24 billion.

"The cumulative trade balance surplus from January to June 2026 was mainly supported by a non-oil and gas trade balance surplus of U$S9.35 billion. Conversely, the oil and gas trade balance still experienced a deficit of US$5.77 billion," Ateng Hartono said at a press conference in Jakarta on Monday, 3 August 2026.

Indonesia's export performance in the first half of 2026 grew by 4.13 percent compared to the same period last year. This growth was driven by a 7.37 percent increase in manufacturing sector exports, particularly from processed nickel commodities, crude palm oil (CPO), agro-based organic chemicals, and aluminum. Meanwhile, imports rose by 18.69 percent, dominated by raw materials, intermediate goods, and capital goods that support national industrial activities.

In addition to trade, BPS also recorded an increase in national food production. The area harvested for rice from January to June reached 6.31 million hectares, an increase of 0.81 percent year-on-year. This growth boosted rice production to 19.35 million tons, up 0.45 percent, while the production of shelled corn reached 8.7 million tons, an increase of 1.62 percent compared to the previous year.

In the tourism sector, Indonesia received 7.45 million international tourist arrivals in the first half of 2026. This number increased by 5.71 percent compared to the same period last year and marked the highest achievement since 2020, reflecting the continued recovery of the national tourism sector.

"The number of foreign tourist arrivals from January to June 2026 is the highest since 2020," he explained.

BPS recorded that tourists from Malaysia were the largest contributors to visits with 258,690 visitors, followed by Singapore with 169,910 visitors and Australia with 167,500 visitors. Achievements in the trade, food, and tourism sectors demonstrate Indonesia's economic resilience amid global trade dynamics and increasing international mobility.