Jakarta, The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) reports that Indonesia has imported 3.05 million tons of rice, worth $1.91 billion, from January to August 2024. This represents a 121.34 percent increase in rice imports compared to the same period last year, contributing 1.5 percent to the country’s non-oil and gas imports.
Arnoldus Kristianus, September 17, 2024
https://jakartaglobe.id/business/indonesias-rice-imports-surge-121-pct-in-2024
According to Pudji Ismartini, Deputy for Distribution Statistics and Services at BPS, the top three rice suppliers to Indonesia are Thailand, with 1.13 million tons valued at $734.78 million; Vietnam, with 0.87 million tons valued at $542.86 million; and Pakistan, with 0.46 million tons valued at $290.56 million.
Overall, Indonesia’s food imports reached $14.48 billion, marking a 3.43 percent increase from the same period in 2023. Besides rice, significant imports include sugar and wheat.
Indonesia imported 3.38 million tons of sugar, valued at $2 billion, contributing 1.56 percent to total non-oil and gas imports. The top sugar suppliers are Brazil, with 1.96 million tons worth $1.15 billion; Thailand, with 0.89 million tons worth $533.78 million; and Australia, with 0.42 million tons worth $241.31 million. “Sugar imports have increased by 5.53 percent from January to August 2024,” Pudji said on Tuesday.
Additionally, Indonesia imported 8.44 million tons of wheat and meslin, valued at $2.56 billion, contributing 2.01 percent to total non-oil and gas imports. The leading wheat suppliers are Australia, with 2.27 million tons worth $707.39 million; Canada, with 1.82 million tons worth $639.71 million; and Argentina, with 1.32 million tons worth $373.56 million.
“Wheat and meslin imports have risen by 3.84 percent from January to August 2024,” Pudji added.
Indonesia recorded a trade surplus of $2.9 billion in August, continuing its streak of 52 consecutive months of surplus, according to the Central Statistics Agency. This is an increase from the $2.04 billion surplus in July.
Exports in August reached $23.56 billion, marking a 5.97 percent rise from July and a 7.13 percent increase compared to the same month last year.
Imports, however, decreased by 4.93 percent to $20.67 billion from the previous month, although they grew by 9.46 percent year-on-year.