JAKARTA, Indonesia / AsiaWire.IO / – Strong non-oil and gas exports helped Indonesia post a trade surplus of $10.61 billion in the first nine months of 2026, Statistics Indonesia (BPS) announced on Monday. The non-oil and gas sector produced a $34.21 billion surplus between January and September. That more than covered a $23.60 billion deficit in oil and gas trade. A $3.36 billion surplus in September added to the cumulative result, according to the ANTARA news agency.
BPS Deputy for Distribution and Service Statistics Ateng Hartono presented the data at a press briefing. Exports totaled $221.23 billion over the period, a rise of 5.58% from a year earlier. Non-oil and gas exports grew 6.30% to $212.27 billion, making up about 96% of the total. Oil and gas exports accounted for the remaining $8.96 billion. Manufactured goods provided $182.83 billion of export earnings, up 8.93% from January to September 2025.
China was again the top destination for Indonesia’s non-oil exports, buying goods worth $54.17 billion. Shipments to the United States reached $25.39 billion, while India took $15.00 billion. Animal and vegetable oils were the biggest export earner at $29.31 billion. They were followed by mineral fuels at $21.42 billion and iron and steel at $13.95 billion. These three product groups made up nearly 30% of total exports over the nine months.
Oil and gas imports jump 37%
On the import side, purchases rose 19.67% year on year to $210.63 billion, outpacing export growth. In percentage terms, imports grew more than three times as fast as exports. Oil and gas imports surged 37.35% to $32.57 billion, widening the energy trade gap. Non-oil imports increased 16.92% to $178.06 billion. Raw materials and intermediate goods made up the largest share of purchases at $150.57 billion.
China was Indonesia’s main source of imports, supplying $76.16 billion worth of goods. That represented 42.77% of all non-oil imports, underlining China’s role as both the top buyer of Indonesian goods and the top supplier. The rise in imports trimmed September’s surplus compared with a year earlier, when it stood at $4.34 billion.
September surplus beats forecasts
The September surplus of $3.36 billion exceeded market expectations of about $1.9 billion, though it eased from $3.55 billion in August. Exports rose 11.87% year on year in September, ahead of forecasts, while imports increased 18.41%, slightly below expectations. In August, exports had grown 6.72% and imports 19.09% from a year earlier. Non-oil and gas trade posted a $5.67 billion surplus for the month. The oil and gas deficit narrowed to $2.32 billion from $2.54 billion in August.
Bank Indonesia said the continued surplus helps strengthen the resilience of the country’s external sector. Ramdan Denny Prakoso, executive director of the central bank’s communication department, said it would deepen policy coordination with the government and other authorities. Non-oil exports in September rose to $26.64 billion from $25.62 billion in August. Indonesia has also drawn $7.33 billion in foreign funds this year. Construction is under way on the $20.9 billion Masela LNG project.