Indonesia Maintains 64-Month Trade Surplus; US Tops, China Posts Largest Deficit

Indonesia posted a trade surplus of $5.49 billion in August 2025, marking its 64th consecutive month in the black since May 2020, according to the Central Statistics Agency (BPS).

Exports reached $24.96 billion, while imports stood at $19.47 billion, BPS Deputy for Production Statistics, M. Habibullah, said in a virtual press briefing on Tuesday.

“The August surplus was driven by a $7.15 billion surplus in non-oil and gas commodities, with palm oil, mineral fuels, as well as iron and steel being the top contributors,” Habibullah said. Meanwhile, the oil and gas sector recorded a $1.66 billion deficit, weighed down by crude oil and fuel imports.

From January to August 2025, Indonesia’s cumulative trade surplus stood at $29.14 billion. This was underpinned by a $41.21 billion surplus in non-oil and gas products, offset by a $12.07 billion deficit in oil and gas.

The United States ($12.2 billion), India ($9.47 billion), and the Philippines ($5.85 billion) were Indonesia’s largest trade surplus partners during the January–August period. On the other hand, China ($13.09 billion), Singapore ($3.55 billion), and Australia ($3.49 billion) were the top sources of deficit.

Top-performing non-oil and gas exports included palm oil and related products ($22.83 billion), mineral fuels ($17.85 billion), iron and steel ($12.18 billion), nickel and its derivatives ($5.66 billion), and footwear ($4.34 billion).

Meanwhile, key imports dragging the balance were cereals ($2.35 billion), optical and medical instruments ($2.54 billion), plastics and plastic goods ($5.03 billion), electrical machinery and equipment ($7.53 billion), as well as mechanical machinery and equipment ($17.9 billion).

Tags: exports, Indonesia, palm oil, imports, trade surplus