InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA — Indonesia's trade balance recorded a remarkable performance in May 2025. Trade Minister Budi Santoso revealed that the national trade surplus surged to $4.30 billion, significantly higher than the surplus of just $0.16 billion in April 2025.
This surge marks the 61st consecutive month since May 2020 in which Indonesia has recorded a trade surplus. Cumulatively, Indonesia's trade surplus from January to May 2025 reached $15.38 billion, a significant increase compared to $13.06 billion during the same period last year.
“This achievement demonstrates that Indonesia's export resilience remains strong despite global dynamics. The increase in surplus is primarily driven by a sharp rise in the non-oil sector, which jumped from $1.51 billion in April to $5.83 billion in May,” explained Minister Budi in an official statement reported by InfoSAWIT on Tuesday (July 8, 2025). However, the oil and gas sector still recorded a deficit of $1.53 billion.
Minister Budi elaborated that the non-oil trade surplus in May 2025 largely stemmed from trade with several key partner countries. The highest surplus came from the United States at $1.86 billion, followed by India at $1.32 billion, and the Philippines at $0.77 billion.
“Strong demand from these countries indicates ongoing opportunities for Indonesia's leading products in the global market,” he stated.
Exports Surge, Key Commodities Take Center Stage
From the export side, Indonesia's performance showed significant growth. Total exports in May 2025 reached $24.61 billion, an 18.66 percent increase compared to April 2025 (month-on-month), and a 9.68 percent growth compared to May 2024 (year-on-year).
This export growth was driven by a 20.07 percent increase in non-oil exports, although oil and gas exports experienced a decline of 4.99 percent.
“The rise in prices of key commodities such as iron and steel, precious metals, and nickel has also contributed. Additionally, demand for crude palm oil (CPO) and nickel has strengthened. Another factor is the normalization of trade activities post-Eid al-Fitr holidays,” explained Minister Budi.
In the structure of non-oil exports, the processing industry still dominates with a contribution of 84.07 percent, followed by the mining sector at 13.23 percent, and agriculture at 2.70 percent.
Monthly, the agricultural sector recorded the highest export surge with a 32.16 percent increase. The processing industry grew by 23.89 percent, while mining experienced a contraction of 1.14 percent.
The three main non-oil commodities with the highest export growth in May 2025 included precious metals and jewelry (HS 71) up 86.30 percent, animal and vegetable fats and oils (HS 15) up 42.08 percent, including palm oil, and machinery and mechanical appliances (HS 84) up 39.35 percent.
Geographically, China, the United States, and India remain the top three markets for Indonesia's non-oil exports, with total export values to these countries reaching $9.81 billion or 41.75 percent of total national non-oil exports.
Meanwhile, countries that recorded the highest monthly export surges included Italy (up 78.50 percent), Australia (54.53 percent), South Korea (36.76 percent), the Netherlands (32.05 percent), and the United States (31.48 percent).
Cumulatively, Indonesia's total exports from January to May 2025 reached $111.98 billion, growing 6.98 percent compared to the same period last year. This increase is primarily supported by non-oil exports, which rose 8.22 percent to $106.06 billion, while oil and gas exports fell 11.26 percent to $5.92 billion.
Minister Budi emphasized that the government will continue to promote the export of value-added products and expand market access to both new and existing partner countries.
“Our export performance demonstrates the resilience of the national trade sector. We will continue to strengthen value-added exports and ensure that Indonesian products remain competitive in the global market,” he asserted. (T2)
