Ministry of Trade: Import Decline Triggered by Lebaran, Weakened Demand

Trade Minister Budi Santoso stated that the decline in imports in March 2026 was influenced by seasonal factors and global pressures. The extended Eid al-Fitr holiday and geopolitical conditions became the main triggers.

Indonesia’s import value in March 2026 was recorded at US$19.21 billion or approximately Rp334.4 trillion. This figure dropped 8.08% compared to the previous month.

On an annual basis, imports still grew 1.51% compared to March 2025.

“This decline was influenced by seasonal factors from the extended Eid al-Fitr holiday, geopolitical pressures in the Middle East region, and weakening domestic demand,” said Budi on Wednesday (6/5/2026).

Oil and gas imports moved in the opposite direction. The increase reached 58.73% on a monthly basis.

The deepest contraction occurred in capital goods imports. The decline reached 15.75%.

Consumer goods imports fell 11.64%. Raw materials and auxiliaries also weakened by 5.21%.

Cumulatively, imports for the January to March 2026 period reached US$61.30 billion or approximately Rp1,067 trillion. This value rose 10.05% compared to the same period last year.

The growth was driven by non-oil and gas imports, which increased 12.16%. Oil and gas imports fell 1.72%.

Based on the Broad Economic Categories of goods usage, all import components grew cumulatively.

Capital goods recorded the highest increase of 24.02%. Raw materials and auxiliaries rose 6.89%. Consumer goods increased 6.12%.

The rise in capital goods imports was triggered by demand for strategic commodities. Products that were heavily imported included smartphones, computers, and aircraft.

Imports of salt, sulphur, earths and stone, plastering materials, lime and cement rose 71.95%. Ores, slag and ash increased 60.64%.