InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA – Indonesia’s non-oil and gas exports continued to strengthen in July 2026, rising 6.84 percent year-on-year to USD 25.43 billion, with vegetable and animal oils emerging as a major contributor to the country’s trade surplus.

The July performance also reflected continued growth in Indonesia’s overall exports amid ongoing global economic uncertainty. The country’s total exports reached USD 26.22 billion, up 2.98 percent from June and 6.05 percent compared with July 2025.

The stronger export performance helped Indonesia record a USD 0.12 billion trade surplus in July. The non-oil and gas sector generated a surplus of USD 3.10 billion, offsetting a USD 2.98 billion deficit in oil and gas trade.

Trade Minister Budi Santoso said the result demonstrated that Indonesia’s export performance remained resilient despite changes in the global economic environment.

He emphasized the need to continue diversifying export markets and commodities to strengthen the contribution of non-oil and gas trade.

Vegetable and Animal Oils Generate Largest Surplus

Among Indonesia’s major commodity groups, animal and vegetable fats and oils under HS 15 remained a key pillar of the country’s non-oil and gas trade surplus.

During January–July 2026, the commodity group generated a trade surplus of USD 20.96 billion, making it the largest surplus contributor.

It was followed by mineral fuels under HS 27, which generated a surplus of USD 16.39 billion, and iron and steel under HS 72, with USD 10.32 billion.

Together, the three commodity groups contributed USD 7.90 billion to Indonesia’s non-oil and gas trade surplus in July.

Despite its strong contribution to the trade balance, exports of animal and vegetable fats and oils declined 6.21 percent month-on-month in July.

Several other commodity groups posted stronger monthly growth, including machinery and mechanical equipment, which increased 23.05 percent, copper and articles thereof, up 21.20 percent, and non-knitted clothing and accessories, which rose 20.65 percent.

Indonesia’s January–July Exports Reach USD 167.03 Billion

Indonesia’s cumulative export performance remained positive during the first seven months of 2026.

Total exports reached USD 167.03 billion, representing a 4.43 percent increase compared with the same period a year earlier.

Non-oil and gas exports accounted for USD 160.01 billion, growing 5.21 percent year-on-year cumulatively.

The manufacturing sector continued to dominate Indonesia’s export structure. From January to July, manufacturing exports grew 7.16 percent compared with the same period last year and accounted for 82.18 percent of total exports.

Mining and other sectors contributed 11.73 percent, oil and gas 4.20 percent, and agriculture 1.89 percent.

Trade Minister Budi Santoso said the strong contribution from manufacturing underscored the importance of increasing domestic added value through downstream processing and industrial development.

China Remains Indonesia’s Largest Export Market

China remained Indonesia’s largest destination for non-oil and gas exports during January–July 2026, followed by the United States and India.

Meanwhile, several markets recorded particularly strong growth in Indonesian non-oil and gas exports. Shipments to Hong Kong increased 36.79 percent, while exports to Türkiye rose 30.58 percent and those to Thailand grew 21.92 percent.

The government views stronger competitiveness, higher domestic value added and broader market diversification as key priorities for maintaining Indonesia’s export growth momentum.

For the palm oil industry, the continued contribution of the animal and vegetable oils category highlights the strategic role of palm-based products in Indonesia’s international trade performance. (T2)