NTB Exports Surge by Almost 1,300%, Driven by Copper Ore and Concentrates
The Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) has recorded that the export value of West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) in April 2026 increased by US$ 545.19 million, representing a surge of 1,294.11% compared to April 2025. This growth was largely driven by the rise in non-oil and gas mining commodity exports, particularly copper ore and concentrates.
“This increase was driven by the export of mining goods in the form of copper ore and its concentrates, as well as an increase in non-mining exports such as silver resulting from smelter industries,” said the Head of BPS NTB, Wahyudin, following a press release at his office on Tuesday (2/6/2026).
Wahyudin detailed that the largest export commodities in April 2026 were dominated by mineral goods, accounting for US$ 514 million or 94.32%. This was followed by copper at US$ 21 million (3.96%), jewellery/gems at US$ 7.5 million (1.38%), fish and prawns at US$ 918,000 (0.17%), processed meat and fish at US$ 257,000 (0.05%), and inorganic chemicals at US$ 243,000 (0.04%). Other commodities included electrical machinery/equipment at US$ 226,000 (0.04%), salt, sulphur, and lime at US$ 196,000 (0.04%), and other goods at US$ 47,000 (0.01%).
According to Wahyudin, mineral goods were the primary export destination for China. Copper exports were directed to Thailand, while jewellery and gems were sent to Hong Kong, Japan, and China. Fish and prawns were exported to the United States and Belgium, processed meat and fish to the United as States and Singapore, and inorganic chemicals to India.
In terms of destination countries, China remained the largest export market with a value of US$ 514 million (94.37%), followed by Thailand at US$ 21 million (3.97%), Hong Kong at US$ 6.4 million (1.18%), and the United States at US$ 1 million (0.20%). Other significant destinations included Japan, India, Belgium, Vietnam, and South Korea.
On the other hand, BPS NTB noted that import values in April 2026 actually decreased by 66.74% compared to April 2025. This decline was mainly influenced by a reduction in imports of consumer goods, capital goods, and raw/auxiliary materials. Within the capital goods group, the largest decrease came from mechanical machinery and equipment, while the decline in raw materials was primarily due to reduced imports of iron and steel products.
The largest import commodity was rubber and rubber products at US$ 4.6 million (58.94%), followed by mechanical machinery at US$ 1.1 million (14.05%), vehicles and parts at US$ 704,000 (8.85%), electrical machinery at US$ 566,000 (7.12%), various chemical products at US$ 319,000 (4.01%), and various basic metal products at US$ 301,000 (3.79%). The largest import source was Japan at US$ 4.6 million (57.85%), followed by the United States, Singapore, Australia, and China.
Regarding inflation, BPS recorded that NTB experienced deflation of 0.08% in May 2026. The price drop was triggered by falling prices in the food and beverage group, specifically broiler chicken. Other contributors to deflation included tomatoes, white cabbage, mackerel, and airfares, the latter due to the government policy of covering 100% of VAT for a 60-day period.
Conversely, several commodities saw significant price increases, such as non-subsidised household fuel, cooking oil, red chillies, long beans, engine oil, and petrol. Wahyudin noted that the rise in non-subsidised household fuel and other strategic commodities is closely linked to global conditions driving up world energy prices, particularly crude oil and gas.