JAKARTA: Indonesia recorded a trade surplus of $4.37 billion in September 2021 with an export value of $20.60 billion and an import value of $16.23, according to the Indonesia’s Central Agency of Statistics.
Indonesia’s trade balance experienced a 17-month surplus in a row, the agency’s head Margo Yuwono told a virtual press conference in Jakarta on Friday.
“Non-oil and non-gas commodities that made the largest contribution to the surplus were mineral fuels, vegetable fats and animal oils, as well as iron and steel,” he said.
“The countries that contributed to the largest surplus were the United States, India, and the Philippines,” he said.
Yuwono said that the trade balance with the US experienced a surplus of $1.5 billion with the clothing and accessories, representing the largest contribution to the surplus.

He also said the trade with India also underwent a surplus of $718.6 million, with the main commodities being mineral fuels and animal fats.
The Philippines also registered a trade surplus to reach $713.9 million, where the largest contributors were mineral fuels, vehicles and automotive spare parts.
However, Indonesia experienced a trade deficit with several countries, including Australia, Thailand, and Ukraine, Yuwono added.
The deficit with Australia was recorded at $529.7 million; with Thailand, $346.8 million, and with Ukraine, it was $247.2 million, he said.
Indonesia’s trade balance cumulatively in the January-September 2021 period experienced a surplus of $25.07 billion, he said, adding: “This figure is very high, compared with the previous years.”
“For example, in the same period of 2020, the surplus was recorded at $13.35 billion and even in 2019 we experienced a deficit,” he added.