{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1650067,
        "msgid": "downstreaming-as-a-pillar-indonesias-trade-surplus-persists-for-70-months-1775104102",
        "date": "2026-04-01 20:47:35",
        "title": "Downstreaming as a Pillar, Indonesia's Trade Surplus Persists for 70 Months",
        "author": "Teuku Muhammad Valdy Arief",
        "source": "KOMPAS",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Trade",
        "summary": "Indonesia's trade balance recorded a surplus for the 70th consecutive month in early 2026, reaching a cumulative US$2.23 billion from January to February, driven primarily by strong performance in the processing industry amid weakening raw commodity exports. The Head of Statistics Indonesia highlighted that processed industry exports grew by 6.69% year-on-year to US$37.06 billion, underscoring the success of the downstreaming strategy in maintaining trade equilibrium. Key markets like China, India, and emerging destinations such as the United States and the United Arab Emirates have boosted demand for value-added products like palm oil derivatives, supported by free trade agreements.",
        "content": "<p>JAKARTA \u2013 Indonesia\u2019s trade balance has once again recorded a surplus\nin early 2026. This positive trend has been ongoing for nearly six years\nor 70 consecutive months.<\/p>\n<p>The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) recorded a cumulative surplus of\nUS$2.23 billion for January to February 2026.<\/p>\n<p>BPS Chief Amalia Adininggar Widyasanti stated that the performance of\nthe processing industry exports has become the main pillar amid\npressures on raw commodities.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cProcessing industry exports for January\u2013February 2026 reached\nUS$37.06 billion, growing 6.69 percent compared to the same period last\nyear,\u201d Amalia said in a written statement on Wednesday (1\/4\/2026).<\/p>\n<p>Amalia assessed that the dominance of this sector is important when\nexports from the agriculture and mining sectors weaken.<\/p>\n<p>The downstreaming strategy is beginning to show tangible results. The\nrole of the processing industry sector is evident in maintaining trade\nbalance.<\/p>\n<p>China remains the main destination for Indonesian exports,\nparticularly for processed palm oil, nickel, and basic chemicals.<\/p>\n<p>Palm oil derivative exports to China in February 2026 reached\nUS$556.31 million or 19.19 percent of total exports. India absorbed\nUS$433.95 million or 14.97 percent. Pakistan amounted to US$212.20\nmillion or 7.32 percent.<\/p>\n<p>Demand from non-traditional markets is also increasing. Exports to\nthe United States grew 56.18 percent year-on-year to US$177.91\nmillion.<\/p>\n<p>Exports to the United Arab Emirates surged 458.75 percent to US$63.89\nmillion. The upward trend has been seen in recent years.<\/p>\n<p>The value of palm oil derivative exports to that country rose from\nUS$231.99 million in 2023 to US$392.09 million in 2024. That figure\nincreased again to US$461.80 million in 2025.<\/p>\n<p>This increase is driven by the Indonesia\u2013United Arab Emirates free\ntrade agreement that has been in effect since September 2023. The\nagreement provides zero percent tariffs for a number of products.<\/p>\n<p>Exports to Japan rose 67.39 percent to US$142.12 million. Shipments\nto Singapore surged 665.70 percent to US$46.72 million.<\/p>\n<p>These changes indicate a shift in Indonesia\u2019s export structure.\nValue-added products are beginning to replace the dominance of raw\ncommodities.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn the midst of global pressures on commodity prices, strengthening\nthe processing industry sector is key to maintaining the sustainability\nof the trade surplus,\u201d she said.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/downstreaming-as-a-pillar-indonesias-trade-surplus-persists-for-70-months-1775104102",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}