Indonesia’s trade surplus in November widened to US$2.66 billion, official data showed on Monday, falling short of the US$3.06 billion expected by analysts, as exports of key commodities weakened.
Exports dropped 6.6% year-on-year to US$22.52 billion, compared with a 0.53% decline forecast by a Reuters poll. The slowdown was attributed to lower export values of coal, palm oil, nickel, and copper, Statistics Indonesia reported. Meanwhile, imports rose 0.46% to US$19.86 billion, below the projected 3.2% increase.
“The trade surplus is expected to persist but gradually narrow as import growth is seen to outpace exports, in line with the government’s increasingly pro-growth policy stance,” said Permata Bank economist Faisal Rachman.
The country has recently finalised free trade talks with the European Union and signed a deal with the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union, while targeting a U.S. tariff agreement by the end of this month.
Inflation in December climbed to 2.92% year-on-year, above the 2.73% median forecast, driven by higher gold and food prices, as well as supply disruptions from floods and landslides in northern Sumatra. December’s rate marked the highest since April 2024 but remained within Bank Indonesia’s 1.5% to 3.5% target. Core inflation, excluding government-controlled and volatile food prices, came in at 2.38%, slightly below expectations.
Faisal added that inflation is expected to remain within the central bank’s target, supporting the continuation of accommodative monetary policy.
Source: Business Today
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<p>Time: November 2025<br /> By: WTO and International Trade Group, Legal Department – VCCI</p>
