Exports Surge, Indonesia's Trade Balance Deficit in June 2026 Narrowed to US$ 0.45 Billion

Aerial photo of loading and unloading containers at the Tanjung Priok Port Pier, Jakarta, Thursday, July 2, 2026 (ANTARA FOTO/M Risyal Hidayat)

JAKARTA - Indonesia's trade performance shows positive signals. Trade Minister Budi Santoso said that Indonesia's trade balance deficit in June 2026 narrowed significantly to US$ 0.45 billion. This figure improved sharply compared to the deficit in May 2026 which had touched US$ 1.61 billion.

According to the Minister of Trade, this improvement was triggered by a surge in national export performance, especially from the non-oil and gas sector.

"The deficit in June 2026 of 0.45 billion US dollars shows a decrease compared to the deficit in May 2026. This means that our trade balance is beginning to improve as exports increase," Budi said in an official statement in Jakarta, Tuesday.

Non-oil and gas export and surplus performance surges

Overall, the total value of Indonesian exports (oil and gas and non-oil and gas) in June 2026 was recorded at US$ 25.46 billion. This achievement grew 9.72 percent compared to the export value of the previous month which was US$ 23.20 billion.

The main supporters of this increase come from the non-oil and gas sector:

Non-oil and gas export value: reached US$ 24.39 billion, up 8.68 percent from May 2026 (US$ 22.45 billion). Non-oil and gas trade surplus: reached US$ 3.04 billion in June 2026. This surplus effectively reduces the total national deficit, which is still burdened by high oil and gas imports.

Not only in terms of nominal value, Indonesia's export volume has also increased. In June 2026, export volume increased by 3.31 percent to 56.52 million tons, from the previous 54.71 million tons in May 2026.

Cumulative Semester I 2026: Indonesia Still Surplus US$ 3.58 Billion

Although it experienced a slight monthly deficit in June, cumulatively throughout January-June 2026, Indonesia's Trade Balance still recorded a surplus of US$ 3.58 billion.

This first-half surplus was supported by the non-oil and gas sector, which recorded a surplus of up to US$ 19.35 billion, able to cover the deficit of the oil and gas sector, which was in the amount of US$ 15.77 billion.

"Our exports in January-June 2026 grew 4.13 percent and cumulatively we still have a surplus of 3.58 billion US dollars," said Budi.

Ministry of Trade Strategy to Boost National Exports

In order to maintain a positive trend and continue to reduce the deficit, the Ministry of Trade has prepared strategic steps. The main focus of the government is to strengthen the non-oil and gas export market as well as increase the business actors in the country.

"The Ministry of Trade continues to encourage increased exports, including through expanding export markets and printing new exporters to maintain a surplus," said Budi.