Why Oil and Gas Imports Surged by 82.52 Per Cent in April 2026

Pudji Ismartini, Deputy for Methodology and Statistical Information at the Indonesian Central Statistics Agency (BPS), stated that imports of petroleum and natural gas (oil and gas) in April 2026 surged by 82.52 per cent compared to April of the previous year. The total value of oil and gas imports as of April was recorded at US$ 4.59 billion.

This figure represents an increase of US$ 2.07 billion compared to April 2025, which was recorded at US$ 2.51 billion. “This 82.52 per cent increase in oil and gas imports was caused by an increase in the import value of crude oil by 67.49 per cent, followed by an increase in the import value of refined oil products by 87.76 per cent,” Pudji said during a press conference in Jakarta on Thursday, 2 June 2026.

Specifically regarding crude oil, he stated that the largest imports originated from three countries: Nigeria, Brazil, and Kazakhstan. Meanwhile, the increase in the import value of refined oil products came from Malaysia, Singapore, and Russia.

On a cumulative basis (c-to-c), the value of oil and gas imports from January to April 2026 was recorded at US$ 12.93 billion, an increase of 17.58 per cent from the same period the previous year. BPS noted that this cumulative surge was driven by an additional US$ 565.5 million in crude oil imports and US$ 1.36 billion in refined oil products.

Conversely, on the export side, the value of oil and gas exports declined, leading to a deficit in the energy sector. This oil and gas trade deficit has also pressured the overall national trade surplus.

As of April 2026, Indonesia’s trade surplus shrank to US$ 89.1 million, marking the lowest surplus in 72 months, or the last six years. The surplus was derived from non-oil and gas sector trade transactions valued at US$ 3.53 billion, while the oil and gas sector experienced a deficit of US$ 3.44 billion.