Jakarta – Indonesia’s trade balance once again posted a significant surplus in March 2025, reaching USD 4.33 billion. This surplus serves as a positive indicator for the national economy amid global trade dynamics. The United States (US) emerged as the largest contributor to the surplus, with a value reaching USD 1.9 billion.
Head of Statistics Indonesia (BPS), Amalia Adininggar Widyasanti, explained that during the first quarter of 2025 (January–March), Indonesia recorded a trade surplus with the US amounting to USD 4.32 billion. Indonesia’s exports to the US reached USD 7.3 billion, while imports stood at USD 2.98 billion.
“From January to March 2025, the export value of these four commodities showed relatively good growth compared to last year,” said Amalia.
The four main commodities driving the export surplus to the US include electrical machinery and equipment, footwear, knitted apparel and accessories, and non-knitted apparel. Electrical machinery and equipment accounted for USD 1.2 billion or 16.71% of total exports to the US, growing by 17.65% compared to the same period the previous year.
Footwear exports reached USD 657.9 million or 9.01% of total exports to the US, with a growth of 16.62%.
“For footwear, our exports to the United States represent a 34.16% share of total footwear exports, followed by the Netherlands, Belgium, Japan, and China,” Amalia explained.
Exports of knitted apparel and accessories amounted to USD 629.25 million (8.61%), growing by 20.46%.
“Among all knitted apparel and accessories exports, our market share to the US is the highest at 63.4%, followed by exports to Japan and South Korea,” she added.
Meanwhile, non-knitted apparel exports reached USD 568.46 million (7.78%) with a growth of 1.47%.
“For non-knitted apparel and accessories, Indonesia’s export market share to the United States is 42.96%, followed by Japan and South Korea,” Amalia said.
In addition to the US, Indonesia also recorded trade surpluses with India (USD 1.04 billion) and the Philippines (USD 714.7 million) in March 2025. The surplus with India was mainly driven by exports of mineral fuels, animal/vegetable fats and oils, as well as iron and steel. Meanwhile, the surplus with the Philippines was supported by exports of vehicles, mineral fuels, and animal/vegetable oils.
These trade surpluses play an important role in supporting Indonesia’s external stability and provide greater room for maintaining resilience in the real sector. Although challenges remain in trade relationships with some partners showing high deficits, the positive export trend to major countries highlights the strengthening competitiveness of Indonesian products.
