"Indonesia's trade balance has recorded a surplus for 71 consecutive months since May 2020," BPS Deputy for Distribution and Service Statistics Ateng Hartono stated in Jakarta on Monday.
He expounded that Indonesia's goods trade balance recorded a US$3.32 billion surplus in March 2026, driven by a non-oil and gas surplus of US$5.21 billion. Key contributors included animal and vegetable fats and oils, mineral fuels, and iron and steel.
On the other hand, the oil and gas trade balance recorded a US$1.89 billion deficit, with crude oil, oil products, and gas serving as the primary contributors to the shortfall.
Cumulatively, from January to March 2026, Indonesia's trade balance recorded a total surplus of US$5.55 billion.
Throughout the first quarter of 2026, Indonesia's total exports reached US$66.85 billion, up 0.34 percent compared to the same period last year.
Oil and gas exports were recorded at US$3.25 billion, a decline of 10.58 percent, while non-oil and gas exports grew 0.98 percent to US$63.60 billion.
Hartono explained that the cumulative increase in non-oil and gas exports was primarily driven by the manufacturing industry.
"The manufacturing industry was the primary driver behind the improved non-oil and gas export performance from January to March 2026, contributing 3.15 percent to the overall increase," he stated.
In March 2026, the non-oil and gas exports reached US$21.25 billion. Of the total, the manufacturing industry contributed US$17.92 billion.
By destination, China remained the primary market for Indonesia's non-oil and gas exports, with a value reaching US$16.5 billion, a 17.49 percent increase compared to January–March 2025.
Meanwhile, on the import side, Indonesia's total import value from January to March 2026 reached US$61.30 billion, up 10.05 percent compared to the same period last year.
Non-oil and gas imports were recorded at US$52.97 billion—reflecting a 12.16 percent increase—while oil and gas imports fell 1.72 percent to US$8.33 billion.
According to Hartono, the rise in imports was primarily driven by raw materials and auxiliary goods, which reached US$43.17 billion, reflecting a 6.89 percent growth.
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Translator: Ahmad Muzdaffar, Raka Adji
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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