Antara News·Indonesia·Friday, October 2, 2026 at 11:10 AM UTC

Manufacturing industry drives Indonesia's trade surplus: minister

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Maria Cicilia Galuh Prayudhia, Yashinta Difa

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia's export performance continues to demonstrate strong growth momentum, driven primarily by a 12.48 percent surge in exports from the manufacturing and processing sector, Trade Minister Budi Santoso announced on Friday.

According to the ministry data, Indonesia's total export value in August 2026 reached US$26.61billion, marking a 6.72 percent increase compared to August 2025.

Non-oil and gas exports accounted for US$25.62 billion of the total figure, propelled by processed industrial goods.

"Amidst global economic dynamics, Indonesian products remain in demand and competitive in the international market. This export growth serves as a positive signal that Indonesia's trade activity remains on an expansionary trend," Budi cited in a press statement in Jakarta.

Cumulatively, Indonesia recorded US$193.64 billion in total exports from January to August 2026, up 4.74 percent year-on-year.

The manufacturing industry served as the main engine of growth during the eight-month period, contributing US$159.55 billion, or a 7.87 percent growth.

Budi emphasized that the acceleration of industrial exports reflects the government's success in shifting the national economy away from raw material exports toward high-value-added processed goods.

"This downstreaming process has proven to be a key catalyst that multiplies export value, strengthens national industrial competitiveness, and creates a multiplier effect for job creation and domestic economic growth," Minister Budi added.

The surge in non-oil and gas shipments - led by key commodities including iron and steel, palm oil derivatives and coal - helped generate a monthly trade surplus of US$3.55 billion in August 2026.

Non-oil and gas trade alone posted a US$6.09 billion surplus, with China, the United States and India ranking as top destination markets.

For the January-August 2026 period, Indonesia accumulated a total trade surplus of US$7.25 billion, supported by a non-oil and gas surplus of US$28.54 billion. The US, India and the Philippines were the largest contributors to the net trade surplus.

To maintain this expansion, Minister Budi affirmed that the government will continue optimizing international trade agreements and bilateral partnerships to expand global market access for Indonesian exporters.

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