Asean Business logo
SPONSORED BYUOB logo
SUBSCRIBERS

Slowing demand and trade war adjustments hit Indonesia’s November exports

Analysts expect export growth to gradually stabilise as country finalises trade agreements with new partners

Elisa Valenta
Published Mon, Jan 5, 2026 · 03:45 PM
    • Coal exports dropped 4% to 35.4 million tonnes, weighed down by slower demand from China and India, Indonesia’s two largest markets.
    • Coal exports dropped 4% to 35.4 million tonnes, weighed down by slower demand from China and India, Indonesia’s two largest markets. PHOTO: REUTERS

    [JAKARTA] Indonesia’s exports fell in November as the post-tariff bonanza adjustment coincided with normalising prices for several key commodities, tempering the windfall gains the resource-rich country had enjoyed in recent years.

    Analysts expect export growth to gradually stabilise as Indonesia finalises trade agreements with new partners.

    The country’s exports contracted 6.6 per cent year on year (yoy) in November, according to data released by the statistics agency on Monday (Jan 5). The decline came in well below economists’ expectations, with a Reuters poll having projected a more modest 0.5 per cent drop.

    Decoding Asia newsletter: your guide to navigating Asia in a new global order. Sign up here to get Decoding Asia newsletter. Delivered to your inbox. Free.

    Copyright SPH Media. All rights reserved.