Manufacturing industry drives Indonesia's trade surplus: minister

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.

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.

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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.