Copper Smelter Boosts NTB Exports to US$76.6 Million

West Nusa Tenggara province’s export performance surged sharply in January 2026. The Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) NTB recorded export values reaching US$76.6 million, an increase of 1,868.45 per cent compared to January 2025.

“This increase was driven by rising exports of non-mining commodities, particularly copper which is the product of smelter industry operations,” said Wahyudin, Head of BPS NTB, following the data release at its office on Monday (2 March 2026).

“Additionally, in January 2026, there were exports of mining commodities (concentrate),” he added.

In detail, the largest commodity in January 2026 was dominated by copper at US$50.8 million or 66.33 per cent of total exports. This was followed by mineral or non-fuel mining goods at US$18.8 million (24.6 per cent), fish and shrimp at US$5.9 million (7.79 per cent), and processed meat and fish at US$542,000 (0.71 per cent).

Other commodities included salt, sulphur and limestone at US$154,000 (0.20 per cent), inorganic chemicals at US$137,000 (0.18 per cent), and other commodities at US$146,000 (0.19 per cent).

Wahyudin explained that copper remained the largest export with destinations in Thailand and China accounting for 59.59 per cent of shipments.

“This was followed by China (31.72 per cent), the United States (8.45 per cent), Japan (0.07 per cent), India (0.04 per cent), Hong Kong (0.03 per cent), Vietnam (0.03 per cent), Singapore (0.02 per cent), Taiwan (0.01 per cent) and other countries (0.03 per cent),” Wahyudin stated.

Meanwhile, BPS NTB recorded that January 2026 import values declined significantly. Total imports fell 94.18 per cent compared to January 2025.

The largest import commodity consisted of machinery or mechanical equipment at US$1.9 million or 89.9 per cent of total imports. This was followed by vehicles and their parts at US$143,000 (6.45 per cent), rubber and rubber products at US$55,000 (2.49 per cent), and electrical machinery or equipment at US$23,000 (1.07 per cent).

“The largest imports in January 2026 originated from Australia with a value of US$1.8 million or approximately 84.39 per cent. This was followed by the United States (6.45 per cent), India (3.98 per cent), Singapore (2.64 per cent), China (2.45 per cent), and Italy (0.09 per cent),” Wahyudin explained.

“NTB’s import value in January 2026 fell 94.18 per cent compared to January 2025. This decline was mainly caused by the absence of consumer goods imports as in the previous year, as well as a decrease in capital goods imports, particularly in the machinery or mechanical equipment group,” he concluded.