Indonesia’s trade surplus declined markedly at the start of 2026, with the balance narrowing to $0.96 billion in January 2026 from $2.52 billion in December 2025. The latest trade data, updated on 2 March 2026, point to a significant cooling in Indonesia’s external surplus compared with the end of last year.
The January figure represents a substantial month-on-month contraction in the trade balance, suggesting either softer export performance, stronger import demand, or a combination of both compared with December. While the country continues to post a positive trade balance, the reduced surplus may influence expectations for external sector strength, current account dynamics and, potentially, policy discussions around trade and growth in the coming months.
