Indonesia's Export Commodities

As a nation rich in natural resources, it is not surprising that many Indonesian products are exported abroad. Moreover, each country has different natural resource wealth. Thus, to meet these needs, exports and imports occur.

Indonesian Export Commodities

Indonesian export commodities are goods traded by Indonesia to other countries. These goods can be in the form of raw materials or finished branded products. Here are 10 Indonesian export commodities to foreign countries.

1. Textile

Textiles, commonly known as fabric, are Indonesian export commodities that are widely exported abroad. The importing countries of textiles from Indonesia include the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Panama, Italy, Canada, Mexico, Belgium, Spain, France, Japan, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Kenya, Tunisia, and Sudan.

2. Spices

Indonesia, a fertile country that grows various types of plants, is a blessing to be grateful for. Even in ancient times, Indonesia was targeted by the Dutch due to its abundant spice wealth. Cinnamon is an Indonesian export commodity that is highly sought after abroad. The export destinations for spices from Indonesia include the United States, India, China, Vietnam, and the Netherlands.

3. Wood

Forest products such as wood are Indonesian export commodities that are in high demand from various countries. Not only wood, but processed wood products such as furniture are also popular due to their good design and quality. The fourth largest market for this wood export is the European Union, followed by China, Japan, and the United States.

4. Fish and Fish Products

As a maritime country, Indonesia has a wide variety of fish that are one of its export commodities. Seafood products that are exported from Indonesia are known for their good quality. Some types of marine catches that are export commodities include shrimp, snapper, mahi-mahi, squid, cuttlefish, mackerel, tuna, catfish, sardines, and octopus. The export destinations for fish include Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, the United States, Japan, Vietnam, South Korea, Spain, Portugal, China, and Canada.

5. Coffee

Coffee is an Indonesian export commodity known for its good quality. Some famous types of coffee abroad include Gayo coffee. This coffee from Aceh has gained worldwide recognition for its distinctive flavor. In addition to Gayo coffee, Toraja coffee, which is an arabica type, is also widely exported to Japan and the United States. The flavor of Toraja coffee, which has low acidity and a non-sticky bitter sensation, makes it highly sought after.

The export destinations for this coffee commodity include Brazil, Spain, Italy, Argentina, the United States, Turkey, India, China, Thailand, Japan, Vietnam, Pakistan, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Bangladesh, and Iran.

6. Palm Oil

Palm oil is an Indonesian export commodity that is highly sought after due to its many uses. It is used in biodiesel, cleaning products, cosmetics, and as an additive in food. Palm oil products are widely exported to India, China, Pakistan, Malaysia, Singapore, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Jordan, South Africa, Egypt, Iran, Germany, Spain, Italy, Turkey, the United States, and Russia.

7. Cocoa

Cocoa, known for chocolate, has many uses as an additive in food or beverages. The unique flavor created by cocoa beans makes cocoa products highly sought after. In Indonesia, cocoa is exported in the form of cocoa beans or processed products. Countries that import cocoa from Indonesia include Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, China, India, the Philippines, Taiwan, Switzerland, Russia, Germany, Canada, the United Kingdom, Japan, the Netherlands, and Sri Lanka.

8. Leather

Animal leather is highly sought after as a primary material for fashion products such as bags, shoes, jackets, and wallets. The most easily cultivated animal leather is cowhide. Indonesia is one of the exporters of cowhide to various countries such as Vietnam, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Taiwan, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, Germany, the United Kingdom, Brazil, China, Japan, Italy, Spain, Norway, and the United States.

9. Coal

Indonesia has abundant coal reserves, with very good quality coal. The majority of mining companies are located outside of Java, such as in Kalimantan, Sulawesi, and Sumatra. The export destinations for this coal include China, Japan, Vietnam, and South Korea.

10. Footwear

Footwear, in the form of shoes or sandals, has become one of the Indonesian export commodities that are in high demand. The types of footwear exported vary, ranging from leather, rubber, fabric, to special footwear for the disabled. The importing countries of footwear from Indonesia include Belgium, the United States, Canada, Chile, Panama, Japan, Turkey, Malaysia, Thailand, North Korea, Hong Kong, Mexico, France, Italy, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and Germany.

11. Herbal Medicines

Since ancient times, Indonesians have had herbal medicine formulations based on plants that have medicinal properties. These herbal medicines have been passed down through generations and have become a promising Indonesian export commodity.

12. Spare Parts

Although Indonesia is not an automotive manufacturer, it still plays a role in producing spare parts for automotive products. The production of these spare parts is used to meet domestic automotive needs, with some exported abroad. Some of the export destinations for automotive spare parts from Indonesia include Belgium, the United States, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Japan, and Italy.

13. Shrimp and Lobster

It is no secret that Indonesia has vast water areas. Shrimp and lobster are abundant in Indonesia. In fact, some neighboring countries secretly take lobsters and shrimp from Indonesia.

For Southeast Asia, Indonesia is the largest exporter of shrimp with the best quality in the world. Shrimp and lobster are widely exported to Japan and the United States.

14. Cinnamon

Cinnamon is highly needed for culinary purposes worldwide, about 100 thousand metric tons per year. Indonesia itself is a cinnamon exporter and controls 35% of the world's cinnamon market. The export destinations for this cinnamon include Dubai, Malaysia, Singapore, and the United States.

15. Kolang-kaling

Who would have thought that kolang-kaling is also sought after in other countries and has even become an export commodity? Kolang-kaling, besides being food, is also used in medicines and cosmetics. Kolang-kaling has properties that aid digestion, prevent bone loss, and prevent premature aging. Kolang-kaling is exported to Australia, Arab countries, the United States, and Europe.

These are some of the export commodities from Indonesia. As Indonesian citizens, we should be proud that many commodities can be exported abroad and contribute to the country's foreign exchange income.

Author: Iskael