Top Indonesian Export Commodities Revealed

Indonesia doesn’t whisper when it comes to global trade. It sings. Loudly. From palm oil to nickel, the archipelago’s ports hum with movement — a story told best through the meticulous (and sometimes surprising) trail of customs shipment data.

If you’ve ever wondered what Indonesia actually sends out into the world — and how to read that data like an insider — this guide is for you. Let’s dig into the numbers, but in a way that’s practical and human. (Because trade data doesn’t have to feel like staring into a giant spreadsheet abyss.)

Why Customs Data Matters (and Why You Should Care)

Think of customs shipment data as Indonesia’s real-time business card to the world. It’s where you’ll find who’s exporting, what’s shipping, where it’s headed, and how much it’s worth.

Unlike glossy trade reports that arrive months later, shipment data updates frequently and can help you:

• Spot rising products early. Before they trend on LinkedIn or show up in news headlines.
• Track competitor moves. See who’s buying from whom — and at what price point.
• Identify new buyers or suppliers. A lifesaver for sales teams and sourcing pros.

Indonesia’s Export Powerhouses — The Big Picture

Using recent 2024 customs shipment data, these categories dominate Indonesia’s export landscape:

1. Palm Oil & Its Derivatives
2. Coal & Mineral Fuels
3. Nickel & Ferronickel
4. Rubber and Rubber Articles
5. Footwear & Textile Products
6. Seafood (Shrimp, Tuna, Crabs)
7. Cocoa & Cocoa Preparations
8. Coffee & Spices (Cloves, Nutmeg, Vanilla)
9. Electrical Machinery & Equipment
10. Furniture & Wood Products

Let’s unpack what each really means — beyond the HS codes and tonnage.

1. Palm Oil & Its Derivatives

If you know just one thing about Indonesia’s exports, it’s probably this: palm oil rules.
Indonesia supplies over half of the world’s palm oil, shipping to China, India, the EU, and beyond.

• HS Codes to Watch: 1511 (Palm Oil), 1513 (Other vegetable oils)
• Trends: Tightened EU deforestation rules are shifting buyers toward traceable, certified supply. If you’re trading, sustainability compliance is no longer optional.
• Insider Tip: Smaller buyers are increasingly sourcing through mid-tier Indonesian refiners rather than only top conglomerates.

2. Coal & Mineral Fuels

Coal remains a backbone — especially for power-hungry markets in China and India.
Indonesia’s low-sulfur coal has been a lifeline for countries balancing price with emissions targets.

• HS Codes: 2701 (Coal), 2704 (Coke), 2709 (Crude oil)
• Trends: Prices swung wildly in 2023–2024 due to China’s energy policy shifts and Russia-Ukraine tensions.
• Action Point: If you’re in energy or heavy manufacturing, track Indonesian port activity weekly — small policy moves can swing supply fast.

3. Nickel & Ferronickel

The EV revolution loves Indonesia. Nickel is crucial for electric vehicle batteries, and Indonesia is ramping up processing to ship value-added ferronickel instead of raw ore.

HS Codes: 2604 (Nickel ores), 7501–7502 (Nickel, ferronickel)

• Trends: Jakarta’s ore export bans pushed global battery producers to build smelters in Indonesia. Tesla, CATL, and Hyundai are watching closely.
• Pro Move: If you’re in EV supply chains, customs data can show who’s already securing long-term nickel contracts.

4. Rubber and Rubber Articles

Think tires. Lots and lots of tires — plus gloves, hoses, and industrial rubber.

• HS Codes: 4001–4011
• Markets: The U.S., Japan, and Europe remain top destinations.
• Tip: Monitor HS 4011 (new pneumatic tires); rising demand ties directly to post-pandemic logistics and auto recovery.

5. Footwear & Textiles

Indonesia is a quiet powerhouse here, rivaling Vietnam in certain niches.

• HS Codes: 6403 (Leather footwear), 6110 (Knitted sweaters), 6203 (Menswear)
• Buyer Insight: Brands seeking alternatives to China due to tariffs often shift to Indonesian suppliers.
• Actionable Nugget: Smaller brands look for mid-volume suppliers — a goldmine for sales teams scouting buyers.

6. Seafood (Shrimp, Tuna, Crabs)

Indonesia’s oceans fuel global menus.

HS Codes: 0306 (Shrimp), 0302 (Tuna), 1605 (Crab prep)

Trends: U.S. importers seek sustainable, antibiotic-free shrimp. Japan remains a tuna stronghold.

Tactical Tip: Customs data can reveal which importers are diversifying beyond Thailand and India.

7. Cocoa & Cocoa Preparations

Indonesia is the world’s third-largest cocoa bean producer, but it’s the semi-processed cocoa butter and powder that’s gaining traction.

• HS Codes: 1801–1805
• Markets: Europe (Belgium, Germany) and the U.S. love Indonesian cocoa butter.
• Insider Note: Look at HS 1804 for cocoa butter shipments — an early signal of chocolate industry demand.

8. Coffee & Spices (Cloves, Nutmeg, Vanilla)

Yes, Sumatra coffee is famous — but so is nutmeg from Banda and vanilla from Papua.

• HS Codes: 0901 (Coffee), 0908 (Nutmeg), 0905 (Vanilla), 0907 (Cloves)
• Trends: Specialty coffee roasters hunt direct trade relationships; clove exports remain tied to Indonesia’s domestic kretek cigarette industry but spill into global perfumery.
• Action Step: Customs shipment data shows who’s buying small-lot specialty coffee — great for boutique exporters.

9. Electrical Machinery & Equipment

It’s not all raw materials. Indonesia is climbing the value chain, exporting transformers, electrical panels, and parts.

• HS Codes: 8504 (Transformers), 8537 (Panels)
• Why It Matters: Indonesia wants to diversify away from pure commodities. If you sell industrial components or raw inputs, watch these HS codes grow.

10. Furniture & Wood Products

From teak outdoor sets to rattan chairs, Indonesia’s furniture is quietly taking over global patios and living rooms.

• HS Codes: 9403 (Furniture), 9401 (Seats)
• Trends: Sustainability-certified wood and eco-designs dominate.
• Pro Tip: Customs data shows emerging boutique importers in the EU — perfect for smaller Indonesian workshops.

Reading Between the Lines of Shipment Data

A raw customs file can feel intimidating — rows of HS codes, weights, and values. Here’s how to make it meaningful:

1. Filter First: Start with your target HS codes or products. Don’t drown in 10,000+ lines.
2. Look at Trends, Not Just Totals: Is a buyer importing more month over month? Are values per shipment increasing?
3. Watch Ports: Tanjung Priok vs Belawan vs Surabaya can reveal regional production hubs.
4. Track Exporters: See which Indonesian companies consistently ship; these are often stable, reliable partners.
5. Benchmark Prices: Unit value (price per kg or ton) can tell you if you’re overpaying or underpricing.

Small but mighty tip: Even small anomalies (like sudden high-value shipments) can signal new market entries or regulatory shifts.

Common Mistakes When Using Trade Data

• Relying Only on Annual Reports: By the time they’re out, the market may have shifted.
• Ignoring Tariff or Policy News: A single EU deforestation law changed palm oil overnight.
• Not Normalizing HS Codes: Countries sometimes code products differently; clean data matters.
• Forgetting Seasonality: Coffee peaks after harvest; seafood may spike pre-holiday.

Practical Takeaways for Exporters & Importers

• If you’re exporting from Indonesia: Use customs data to spot gaps — e.g., under-served markets paying premium prices.
• If you’re importing into Indonesia: Track competitor shipments and pricing to negotiate better deals.
• If you’re an analyst: Cross customs data with macroeconomic indicators (GDP, tariffs, shipping costs) for a clearer forecast.

A Personal Note: How I Learned to Love Trade Data

I’ll be honest — the first time I opened a customs data file, I groaned. It was rows on rows of numbers. No context. No story.

But once I filtered by HS 1511 (palm oil) and watched shipments from Jakarta to Rotterdam spike after a policy change, it clicked: this is market intelligence in its rawest form.
It’s addictive once you know where to look.

Ready to Outsmart the Indonesia Market?

Don’t just read the numbers—work them. With real Indonesia import–export data, you’ll see who’s buying, what’s moving, and where the next wins are. Visit import-export-data.com to explore shipment-level intel by HS code, product, and country. Compare tariffs, track competitors, and spot verified buyers before your rivals do. Data isn’t just info—it’s your 2025 edge.