JAKARTA – Indonesia’s trade surplus plummeted by 96.3%, from USD 4.33 billion in March 2025 to just USD 160 million in April 2025.

Pudji Ismartini, Deputy for Distribution and Services Statistics at Statistics Indonesia (BPS), reported that the April surplus stemmed from exports totalling USD 20.74 billion and imports amounting to USD 20.59 billion.

Despite the sharp decline, Indonesia has now recorded a trade surplus for 60 consecutive months.

Pudji explained that the surplus was driven by non-oil and gas (non-o&G) commodities, which posted a surplus of USD 1.51 billion. Key contributors included mineral fuels (HS27), animal or vegetable fats and oils (HS15), and iron and steel (HS72).

Meanwhile, oil and gas commodities posted a deficit of USD 1.35 billion, primarily due to refined petroleum products and crude oil.

The sharp drop in the trade surplus coincided with the start of a reciprocal tariff war between the United States and several of its trading partners, including Indonesia.

President Donald J. Trump announced a range of import tariff hikes on goods from Indonesia to the US earlier on 2 April 2025, with some rates reaching as high as 47%. (LK/KR/ZH)