Indonesia’s cumulative export value for the January-December 2024 period reached USD 264.70 billion, marking a 2.29% increase compared to the same period in 2023. Of this total, non-oil and gas exports accounted for USD 248.83 billion, reflecting a 2.46% rise.
Notably, non-oil and gas exports from the processing industry sector rose by 5.33% in 2024, driven by higher exports of precious metals. Exports from the agricultural, forestry, and fishery sectors surged by 29.81%, primarily due to a spike in coffee exports. However, mining and other product exports saw a decline of 10.20%, largely due to decreased coal exports.
Setijadi, Founder & CEO of Supply Chain Indonesia (SCI), emphasized that the growth in agricultural, forestry, and fishery exports should be a primary focus for further expanding exports, given the variety of commodities Indonesia has in these sectors. However, as many of these products are perishable, implementing an end-to-end cold chain system is crucial. Beyond traditional cold storage, technologies like controlled atmosphere storage (CAS) will also be necessary to maintain product quality.
Additionally, Setijadi underscored the importance of advanced packaging technologies, as the condition of products is directly influenced by packaging. He also stressed the need for consolidation processes to enhance the efficiency and economy of scale in transportation and storage. This is especially important given the relatively small production capacities of individual producers and the widespread distribution of businesses across the country.
A comprehensive strategy for downstreaming the agriculture, forestry, and fisheries sectors is vital. This strategy should focus on processing and adding value to raw products to enhance their quality, quantity, and competitiveness in international markets.
Regional Contributions to Exports
Verani Hartati, Head of the Supply Chain Management Laboratory at Widyatama University, highlighted the disparity in export contributions across Indonesia’s regions. According to BPS data, three provinces accounted for 33.65% of the national export total in 2024: West Java contributed USD 37.87 billion (14.31%), East Java USD 25.72 billion (9.72%), and East Kalimantan USD 25.46 billion (9.62%).
Verani encouraged the promotion of exports based on the unique agricultural, forestry, and fishery products available in each region. This approach not only benefits national export figures but also stimulates regional economic growth.
For this strategy to succeed, Verani stressed the need for improved accessibility and logistics connectivity between regions. Collaboration between ministries and agencies is essential to enhance sea and hinterland transportation. Strengthening logistics infrastructure must be guided by comprehensive supply chain mapping, including identifying key supply areas and export destinations. Additionally, developing hubs and spokes, and determining strategic export gates, will be critical for facilitating smoother, more efficient trade flows.