Exports of 12 commodities fell by 24 percent last year
JAKARTA (JP): Exports of 12 commodities decreased considerably in the first eight months of last year compared to the same period in 1996.
The Ministry of Trade and Industry said exports of the commodities dropped as much as 24 percent last year, partly due to a decline in their competitiveness.
Production was also lower last year, so commodities were prioritized to meet domestic demands, it said.
The ministry's data shows exports of feed and processed rattan experienced the biggest drop in the January to August period last year.
Feed exports plunged 24.66 percent to US$104.98 million, while rattan-related products sunk 23.02 percent to US$191.72 million.
The data also indicated that exports of sporting, music and educational goods and toys slumped 21.73 percent to US$178.08 million during the nine-month period.
Chemical goods fell 19.06 percent to US$67.70 million, and processed rubber dropped 13.48 percent to US$1.32 billion.
Plastic exports declined 12.47 percent to US$217.64 million, while exports of steel, machinery, and automotive products dropped 12.03 percent to US$1.18 billion.
Crafts fell 11.25 percent to US$47.47 million, and the exports of lead and copper fell 9.76 percent to US$379.66 million.
Footwear and other leather products dropped 7.56 percent to US$1.46 billion, while ceramic, marble and glass goods fell 4.66 percent to US$217.15 million. Exports of aluminum products decreased 4.32 percent to US$272.22 million.
The ministry also recorded an increase in the export value of some products in the January to August period last year.
Exports of forestry products experienced the highest rise last year, surging to US$15.64 million, 95.62 percent higher compared to the same period in 1996.
Gold and silver products, precious metal, and jewelry, followed suit, rose 62.29 percent to US$722.35 million.
Exports of chemicals soared to US$638.69 million during the period, up 45.24 percent from the same period in 1996.
Coconut and palm oil products were up 26.77 percent to US$1.14 billion while textile exports rose 13.87 percent to US$4.64 billion.
Wood products also increased 7.91 percent to US$ 3.96 billion in the same period, and electronic goods rose 12.28 percent to US$2.20 billion.
Total exports during the first eight months of last year increased 8.81 percent to US$22.43 billion, compared to the same period in 1996.
The ministry said exports to the Asia-Pacific region during the period reached US$15.19 billion. It made up for 67.74 percent of the country's total exports, the ministry said.
Exports to European Union reached about US$4.26 billion in the same period, Middle East US$ 1.17 billion, South Asia US$533.15 million, Africa US$424.45 million, Latin America US$386.14 million, East Europe US$133.17 million, and other countries US$334.15 million.
The United States was the largest importer of Indonesian products, with a value of US$3.76 billion or 16.76 percent of the total exports during the period.
Japan was the next biggest importer, accounting for US$3.30 billion, followed by Singapore with US$2.70 billion.
The ministry said Indonesia's exports to most countries generally increased during the period.
These countries include Hong Kong with US$1.06 billion, The Netherlands US$992.6 million, United Kingdom US$765.5 million, China US$718.3 million and Malaysia US$695.9 million.
However, exports to South Korea dropped 22.26 percent to US$638.6 million, while the exports to Germany also fell 1.53 percent to US$790 million. (das)