Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – Indonesia's trade balance had a surplus of 4.37 billion U.S. dollars in September 2021, with exports of 20.60 billion dollars and imports of 16.23 billion dollars, Indonesia’s Central Agency of Statistics recorded.

"Thus, Indonesia's trade balance experienced a 17-month surplus in a row," the agency’s head Margo Yuwono said at a virtual press conference here, Friday (Oct. 15).

Margo pointed out that the non-oil and non-gas commodities that contributed to the largest surplus were mineral fuels, vegetable fats and animal oils, as well as iron and steel. Meanwhile, the countries that gave to the largest surplus value were the United States (U.S.), India, and the Philippines.

According to Margo, the trade balance between Indonesia and the U.S. had a surplus of 1.5 billion dollars with the largest surplus commodities being clothing and accessories.

Meanwhile, Indonesia’s trade with India experienced a surplus of 718.6 million dollars, with the main commodities being mineral fuels, as well as animal and vegetable fats and oils.

Indonesia’s trade surplus was also recorded with the Philippines, which reached 713.9 million dollars, with the most-contributing commodities being mineral fuels, as well as vehicles and their spare parts.

On the other hand, Indonesia also recorded a trade deficit with several countries, mainly Australia, Thailand, and Ukraine.

"The trade deficit with Australia was recorded at 529.7 million U.S. dollars, with foremost commodities being mineral fuels, as well as metal ore, silver and ash," said Margo.

Meanwhile, the trade deficit with Thailand reached 346.8 million dollars, with plastic commodities and plastic goods as the main commodities, followed by machinery and mechanical equipment and their spare parts.

The agency recorded trade deficit with Ukraine at 247.2 million dollars, with the main commodities of cereals, as well as iron and steel.

Accumulatively, Indonesia's trade balance in the January-September 2021 period experienced a surplus of 25.07 billion dollars.

"This figure is very high when compared to previous years. For example, in the same period in 2020, the surplus was recorded at 13.35 billion dollars and even in 2019 we experienced a deficit," said Margo.

Reporting by Indonesia Window