Rupiah Falls, These Sectors Stand to Benefit

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - While the weakening of the Rupiah against the US dollar is impacting several national industries, a number of export-based sectors are expected to enjoy significant benefits.

The weakening Rupiah makes the price of Indonesian products cheaper for foreign buyers, potentially boosting export demand.

The Rupiah exchange rate in the spot market closed lower on Friday (15/5/2026). The Garuda currency weakened by 0.39 percent to Rp 17,597 per US dollar.

Previously, the Rupiah exchange rate had fallen to 17,600 per US dollar at the opening of trading on Friday morning.

This is because Indonesian products become relatively cheaper for foreign buyers when the value of the US dollar strengthens, potentially attracting more demand from the global market.

“The sectors that benefit from the weakening Rupiah are industries that target foreign markets because Indonesian goods are considered cheaper with the strengthening of the US dollar, thus attracting more buyers,” said Ariston when contacted by Kompas.com on Friday afternoon.

The profits earned by exporters can multiply because the company’s revenue is received in US dollars, while some production and raw material costs are still in Rupiah.

This situation makes the company’s profit margins potentially increase when the US dollar exchange rate rises.

Ariston noted that sectors that can benefit from the weakening Rupiah include the mining industry, agricultural products, and plantations, which have long had a large export orientation.

“The benefits are also doubled because sales are in US dollars with Rupiah-based raw materials. For example, any exporter, such as mining, agricultural products and plantations,” he explained.

The strengthening of the US dollar also has the potential to have a positive impact on the tourism and domestic trade sectors, especially MSMEs in tourist areas.

The stronger US dollar exchange rate makes foreign tourists have greater purchasing power when visiting Indonesia, so their shopping and consumption activities have the potential to increase.

“The strengthening of the US dollar can also attract many foreign tourists to shop in the country,” he said.

Ariston believes that the sectors that benefit from the weakening Rupiah, such as the export industry and tourism, will ultimately have a positive impact on the people who work in them.