Ria Fortuna Wijaya, Jakarta – Indonesia booked another trade surplus in September 2025 at $4.34 billion, extending its winning streak to 64 consecutive months since May 2020, according to the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) on Monday.
The figure, however, narrowed from August's $5.49 billion surplus, marking a decline of about $1.15 billion. Compared to September 2024, when the surplus stood at $3.18 billion, this year's gain was higher by $1.16 billion.
"Indonesia's trade balance in September this year posted a surplus as exports reached $24.68 billion, while imports also rose to $20.34 billion," said Pudji Ismartini, BPS Deputy for Distribution and Services Statistics, during a press briefing in Jakarta.
BPS data showed that exports grew 11.41 percent year-on-year in September 2025, mainly supported by a 12.79 percent increase in non-oil and gas shipments. Key export commodities included gold and jewelry, which jumped 5.66 percent annually.
Indonesia's exports for January-September 2025 reached $209.8 billion cumulatively, up 8.14 percent compared to the same period last year. The export performance was underpinned by strong manufacturing sector growth, which climbed 12.58 percent year-on-year.
Indonesia's top three export destinations during the period were China ($46.47 billion), the United States ($23.03 billion), and India ($14.02 billion).
Imports rose 7.17 percent year-on-year in September, reversing the 6.56 percent contraction seen in the previous month. Non-oil and gas imports grew 7.62 percent to $17.70 billion, while oil and gas imports rose 4.29 percent to $2.64 billion.
By type, consumer goods imports increased 4.06 percent, raw and auxiliary materials edged up 0.21 percent, and capital goods imports surged 28.02 percent, contributing a 5.28 percent rise overall.
Pudji noted that China, Japan, and the United States remained Indonesia's top three import partners, accounting for 52.71 percent of total imports from January to September 2025.
From a trading partner perspective, Indonesia recorded its largest trade surpluses with the United States ($13.48 billion), India ($10.45 billion), and the Philippines ($6.54 billion) during the January – September 2025 period.
However, trade deficits persisted with China ($14.32 billion), Australia ($4.01 billion), and Thailand ($1.29 billion).
The September trade surplus was primarily driven by non-oil and gas commodities, which recorded a $5.99 billion surplus. The biggest contributors were animal and vegetable fats and oils (HS 15), mineral fuels (HS 27), and iron and steel (HS 72).
Meanwhile, the oil and gas sector continued to post a $1.64 billion deficit, mainly due to crude oil and its derivative products.
From a broader perspective, Indonesia's trade balance for January – September 2025 recorded a $33.48 billion surplus, an increase of $11.3 billion from $22.18 billion in the same period last year.
"Indonesia has successfully maintained a trade surplus for 64 consecutive months since May 2020," Pudji said.