Record Trade Surplus Signals Economic Resilience
Indonesia has achieved a remarkable trade surplus of $19.48 billion in the first half of 2025, marking a substantial 25 percent increase from the $15.58 billion recorded during the same period of the previous year. This impressive performance, as reported by the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), also represents the 66th consecutive month of a trade surplus for the country. Such consistent and robust results underscore Indonesia’s remarkable economic resilience, a quality that has been demonstrated through a period of significant political transition, spanning the final months of President Joko Widodo’s administration and the initial phase of President Prabowo Subianto’s term. This prolonged positive trade balance highlights the nation’s strong position in the global economy and its ability to consistently export more goods than it imports, providing a strong foundation for future economic growth and stability. The continued surplus serves as a key indicator of the country’s sustained competitiveness in international markets.
Key Exports and Strategic Trade Partnerships
The robust trade surplus was largely attributed to a significant year-on-year increase in exports, which grew by 7.70 percent to reach a total of $135.41 billion in the first six months of the year. According to Deputy Chief Statistician Pudji Ismartini, the most significant gains were seen in the country’s non-oil and gas exports, which experienced a substantial rise of 8.96 percent, reaching $128.39 billion. This growth was primarily driven by key processed products, including palm oil, base metals, and a range of agricultural goods, as well as high-value items like semiconductors and other electronic components. The nation’s top three export destinations from January to June 2025 were the United States, India, and the Philippines, which together accounted for a significant portion of Indonesia’s total export value. This strong performance highlights the strategic importance of these key trading relationships in driving Indonesia’s overall economic success in the global market.
Analyzing Import Dynamics and Monthly Trends
While Indonesia’s export growth was the primary engine behind its trade surplus, the nation’s imports also saw a year-on-year increase of 5.25 percent, reaching a total of $115.94 billion. This growth in imports was primarily fueled by the purchase of capital goods, which indicates a healthy level of domestic economic activity and investment aimed at future growth. The country’s largest source of imports remained China, with goods valued at $10.69 billion, followed by Australia and Brazil as other key partners. The continued positive trade balance is also reflected in the country’s most recent monthly performance. For the month of June alone, Indonesia posted a strong trade surplus of $4.10 billion. This monthly surplus was driven by a significant 11.29 percent year-on-year surge in exports to $23.44 billion, while imports saw a more moderate increase of 4.28 percent, reaching $19.33 billion, with growth led by both consumer and capital goods. The consistent monthly and semi-annual surpluses underscore Indonesia’s firm and ongoing position in global trade.
