Indonesian exports decline in September following sluggish commodity prices

Exports in Indonesia declined during the month of September, as sluggish commodity prices weighed on the country’s export earnings, government revenue, company profits and people's purchasing power. Also, imports fell as well, with the proportion being higher than the fall in exports.

Indonesia’s imports came in at USD11.30 billion of products in September, 2.26 percent down from a year ago period, compared to a Reuters poll that had expected a 3.76 percent increase in imports, data released by the country’s Statistics Department showed Monday.

In addition, exports in September came in at USD12.51 billion, 0.59 percent lower than the same month last year, compared to a median poll that called for a 1.61 percent decline.

Meanwhile, Indonesia’s trade balance in September was a USD1.22 billion surplus, compared to a revised USD360 million in August and the poll's median forecast of USD450 million.