Indonesia Still Imports Water, Ice and Snow: Worth Billions of Rupiah

Indonesia continues to import drinking water, ice and related products from various countries throughout 2025. Data from the Ministry of Trade indicates that import values for four product categories of water and ice reached approximately US$5.5 million during January-December 2025, or roughly Rp92.18 billion (at the exchange rate of US$1 = Rp16,760).

Whilst the figures are modest compared to major commodities, the growth rates are exceptionally high, with some categories experiencing thousandfold increases. Spikes have been observed across nearly all categories, ranging from unsweetened water to carbonated water, mineral water and ice. The pattern demonstrates that imports originate largely from countries synonymous with premium products such as Europe and Japan, as well as from the Middle East, a region known for its arid climate.

Unsweetened Water: China Dominates the Market

In the HS 22019090 category, covering water without added sugar or flavouring, Indonesian import values reached US$0.578 million throughout 2025. This figure surged 1,876.95 per cent compared to the previous year. Nearly all supplies originated from China, accounting for US$0.553 million or more than 95 per cent of total imports. Other countries such as Japan, Australia, the United States and New Zealand contributed only marginally. China’s dominance suggests that imports in this category tend to concentrate on specific products, possibly related to industrial requirements or specialised segments not yet widely produced domestically.

Carbonated Water Dominated by Europe

The HS 22011020 category, covering carbonated water, recorded import values of US$0.7876 million throughout 2025, representing annual growth of 56.83 per cent. Italian products served as the primary supplier, valued at approximately US$0.38 million, followed by France at approximately US$0.30 million. Both nations are recognised as producers of mineral water and premium beverages widely marketed to the upper-middle market segment. Meanwhile, Asian countries including South Korea, Thailand and the Philippines also appear on the supplier list, though their values are considerably smaller.

Mineral Water Remains the Largest Category

Packaged mineral water (HS 22011010) constitutes the largest import category. Its value reached US$3.668 million throughout 2025, a rise of 88.07 per cent compared to the previous year. The largest supplies originated from France, valued at approximately US$1.48 million, followed by Italy at approximately US$1.03 million and Fiji at approximately US$0.83 million. Other countries including Japan and Bahrain also feature on the list of primary suppliers. The composition of source nations reveals that Indonesian mineral water imports largely derive from internationally recognised brands positioned as premium products.

Ice from the Middle East

The HS 22019010 category, covering ice and snow, recorded import values of US$0.4786 million throughout 2025, rising 66.51 per cent compared to the previous year. Notably, the primary supplier originates from the Middle East. Bahrain emerged as the leading exporter, valued at approximately US$0.185 million, followed by Saudi Arabia at approximately US$0.159 million. Additionally, countries including India, China and the United Arab Emirates supply ice to Indonesia in smaller quantities. The phenomenon of importing ice from hot-climate nations presents a peculiar picture within Indonesian trade, considering that Indonesia possesses abundant water resources.