The increase in the cost of importing raw materials is adding\npressure to the cost structures of businesses that rely on overseas\nsupplies. This condition makes the ability of companies to rapidly\nmonitor the cost of goods sold (COGS), expenses, and profitability\nincreasingly vital as exchange rates and trade costs fluctuate.<\/p>\n
Data from the Indonesian Central Statistics Agency (BPS) shows that\nthe value of Indonesia\u2019s imports of raw materials and auxiliary goods\nbetween January and July 2026 reached US$116.70 billion, an increase of\n20.42 per cent compared to the same period the previous year. Changes in\nraw material costs and exchange rates can directly impact COGS and\nmargins, particularly for manufacturing and trading businesses that\nutilise imported materials.<\/p>\n
Suwandi Soh, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Mekari, stated that\nwhile companies cannot control exchange rate movements or global trade\npolicies, they can accelerate the process of determining the impact on\ntheir costs and margins.<\/p>\n
\u201cBusinesses in Indonesia cannot control currency fluctuations or\nglobal trade tariff policies, but they can control how quickly and\naccurately they understand the impact on their COGS and margins. When\nraw material costs and exchange rates fluctuate within months, the\nbusinesses that survive are not necessarily the largest, but those that\nare quickest to know their own numbers. That is what we aim to provide\nthrough Meklar Jurnal: consistent financial control and clarity,\nregardless of external conditions,\u201d Suwandi said on Thursday\n(17\/9\/2026).<\/p>\n
According to Suwandi, AI-based report analysis can also accelerate\nthe process of converting financial data into more understandable\ninformation. This technology is intended to assist the analysis process\nrather than replace human decision-making.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, AI does not replace human decision-making; rather, it\naccelerates the process leading up to it,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Import cost pressures are also reflected in the movement of the\nRupiah exchange rate, which was reported in the range of\nRp20,400\u2013Rp21,000 per US dollar during May\u2013June 2026, before moving to\nthe range of Rp17,700\u2013Rp17,900 per US dollar during August\u2013September\n2026. These currency shifts represent cost risks that companies\nconducting transactions in foreign currencies must account for.<\/p>\n
In the poultry trading sector, PT Ayam Kota Untuk Negara previously\nfaced challenges in tracking stock and calculating inventory value\nmanually. After adopting Mekari Jurnal, the company reported gaining\nreal-time access to stock and financial reports, as well as integrating\ndata across teams.<\/p>\n
\u201cI find Mekari Jurnal\u2019s financial reports to be good and up-to-date;\nthey are generated instantly. The presence of AI also helps in reading\nand analysing report contents, making them easier to understand. Mekari\nJurnal is highly relevant to our needs,\u201d said Nasirin, Inventory Control\nat PT Ayam Kota Untuk Negara.<\/p>\n
Data management needs also arise in the import-export business. PT\nAlpine Renewables Commodities, which trades palm oil mill effluent\n(POME), conducts transactions in both Rupiah and US dollars, making\nmulti-currency recording an operational necessity.<\/p>\n
In the logistics sector, PT Gold Shine Logistik previously used an\noffline accounting system that slowed down the financial adjustment and\nreporting process. After switching to an online system, the company\nnoted that the monthly closing process has become faster.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, PT Sinar Pahala Utama faces more complex financial\nmonitoring needs due to its nine subsidiaries. The company utilises\nintegrated profitability, profit and loss, and balance sheet reports to\nmonitor COGS and financial conditions at the group level.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe system is complete, a total package, and easy to understand,\u201d\nsaid Abdul Khamid, Financial Controller at PT Sinar Pahala Utama.<\/p>\n
These four companies represent the trading, import-export, logistics,\nand food manufacturing sectors. While their specific needs differ,\nmanaging cost and financial data has become a shared necessity as\ncompanies face changes in raw material costs, exchange rates, and supply\nchain conditions.<\/p>\n
Jansen Jumino, Chief Business Officer of Mekari Jurnal, stated that\nreal-time data visibility can help companies navigate business\nuncertainty.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/rising-raw-material-import-values-increase-business-cost-pressures-1789652539", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }