Indonesia's Central Statistics Agency (BPS) reported that export performance in January–April 2026 increased 5.68% year-on-year to USD 92.15 billion. The growth was supported by rising commodity prices, particularly nickel and crude palm oil (CPO). 

According to BPS data, non-oil and gas exports rose 6.28% year-on-year to USD 87.74 billion. 

BPS Deputy for Statistical Methodology and Information, Pudji Ismartini, explained that non-oil and gas exports increased 6.28% year-on-year to USD 87.74 billion. The increase was primarily driven by the manufacturing sector, including processed nickel products, crude palm oil (CPO), basic chemicals, semiconductors, and electronic components. 

"Manufacturing exports that recorded significant growth include processed nickel products, crude palm oil, organic basic chemicals derived from agricultural products, other inorganic basic chemicals, as well as semiconductors and other electronic components," Pudji said during a press conference in Jakarta on Tuesday, June 2. 

Cumulatively, she noted that the value of CPO and its derivative exports increased 16.59% during January–April 2026. Meanwhile, iron and steel exports, one of the key products of Indonesia's nickel downstream industry, rose 2.54%. 

In April 2026, the contribution of these two commodities became even more pronounced. Exports of animal or vegetable fats and oils (HS15), dominated by palm oil products, surged 66.59% compared with April 2025 and became the largest contributor to export growth, accounting for 5.91% of the increase. 

Meanwhile, exports of nickel and articles thereof (HS75) jumped 75.52% year-on-year, contributing 2.17% to the increase in Indonesia's total exports. 

Shipments to China Dominate 

Export performance was also supported by stronger demand from China, which remained Indonesia's largest export destination. The value of non-oil and gas exports to China reached USD 22.76 billion during January–April 2026, up 20.58% compared with the same period last year. 

Approximately one-quarter of Indonesia's total non-oil and gas exports were shipped to China. The most-exported commodity to China was iron and steel, accounting for 25.94% of Indonesia's total exports to the country. 

Overall, Indonesia's three largest export destinations—China, the United States, and India—accounted for 44.52% of total non-oil and gas exports during the first four months of 2026. 

BPS also recorded that Indonesia's exports in April 2026 reached USD 25.30 billion, up 21.98% compared with April 2025. BPS data showed that the increase was almost entirely driven by non-oil and gas exports, which grew 23.36% to USD 24.15 billion. 

Pudji said the manufacturing sector remained the backbone of Indonesia's exports, with export value reaching USD 20.59 billion in April 2026. The sector grew 29.07% year-on-year and made the largest contribution to national export growth. 

On the other hand, oil and gas exports remained in contraction, declining 8.30% cumulatively during January–April 2026 to USD 4.41 billion. Coal exports also fell 7.27% compared with the same period last year. 

This article is published in partnership with Katadata 

Original article here