Palm oil and downstream products remained among Indonesia’s key non-oil and gas export commodities in August, as total exports rose 6.72% year on year amid continued global trade uncertainty.
PALMOILMAGAZINE, JAKARTA — Indonesia’s palm oil and downstream products continued to play an important role in the country’s export performance in August 2026, as total exports posted solid annual growth despite an uncertain global trade environment.
Indonesia’s exports reached US$26.61 billion in August 2026, up 6.72% from the same month a year earlier, according to the Ministry of Trade.
Non-oil and gas exports accounted for the bulk of the monthly total at US$25.62 billion, while exports of manufactured products grew 12.48% year on year.
Trade Minister Budi Santoso said the August export performance demonstrated the resilience of Indonesia’s trade sector amid changing global economic conditions, with Indonesian products continuing to attract demand in international markets.
“The achievement of Indonesia’s exports in August 2026, reaching US$26.61 billion, shows that the fundamentals of Indonesia’s trade remain resilient,” Budi said in a statement, as wrote PalmOilMagazine on Tuesday (October 6, 2026)..
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Palm Oil Remains a Key Export Commodity
Among the commodities supporting Indonesia’s non-oil and gas exports in August were palm oil and its derivatives, alongside iron and steel and coal.
The continued contribution of palm oil and downstream products underscores the commodity’s importance to Indonesia’s export structure, while the expansion of processed exports reflects the government’s push to increase value-added production.
China, the United States and India remained among the main destinations for Indonesia’s non-oil and gas exports during the period.
For the palm oil industry, strong demand across major export markets remains important as Indonesia seeks to balance domestic priorities—including biodiesel and downstream development—with its role as a major supplier to the global vegetable oils market.
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January-August Exports Reach US$193.64 Billion
Cumulatively, Indonesia’s exports reached US$193.64 billion in January-August 2026, an increase of 4.74% compared with the same period last year.
Manufactured exports contributed significantly to the overall performance, reaching US$159.55 billion, up 7.87% year on year.
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The Ministry of Trade said the increase in manufactured exports reflected the growing role of value-added products in Indonesia’s export structure.
Budi said the trend showed that downstreaming and industrial value addition were becoming increasingly important to Indonesia’s export strategy. Processed products offer opportunities to increase export value while strengthening the competitiveness of domestic industries.
For Indonesia’s palm oil sector, the development reinforces the strategic importance of moving beyond the export of basic commodities toward higher-value downstream products, while maintaining access to major international markets.
The combination of palm oil exports, downstream products and broader manufacturing growth is therefore expected to remain an important component of Indonesia’s trade performance in the months ahead. (P2)
