Indonesia - Mainland China Trade 2024 Whole Year: Resource-for-Tech Exchange
Key Market Takeaways: Indonesia - Mainland China Trade
The bilateral trade relationship between Indonesia and Mainland China shows volatile but deeply interconnected trade flows in 2024.
- $50.7B total trade volume with a $4.2B deficit for Indonesia, as imports ($27.45B) outpace exports ($23.25B) amid uneven YoY swings.
- Resource-for-tech exchange: Indonesia supplies raw materials (iron/steel, fuels) while relying on Chinese machinery/electronics, with top 2 categories dominating 55% of exports and 47% of imports.
- Asymmetric interdependence: China holds the high-value position in this supply chain, with Indonesia’s commodity exports feeding China’s industrial base.
This bilateral trade snapshot is based on verified customs data from the yTrade database.
Indonesia-Mainland China Trade Trend in Whole Year 2024
Indonesia Export Performance: Shipments to Mainland China
- Total Volume: $23.25B in 2024.
- Growth Trend & Context: YoY declines persisted throughout the year, with February (-21.87%) and March (-17.1%) as the sharpest contractions. No trade policy shifts were reported to explain the downturn.
- Key Volatility: March saw a 19.01% MoM rebound after a steep drop in February (-14.73%).
Indonesia Import Performance: Sourcing from Mainland China
- Total Volume: $27.45B in 2024.
- Growth Trend & Context: Mixed YoY performance—February (+48.19%) surged, while March (-19.6%) and May (+2.07%) were subdued. No news-driven catalysts were identified.
- Key Volatility: May recorded the highest MoM jump (+29.81%), contrasting with March’s -24.33% plunge.
Indonesia - Mainland China Trade Balance & Market Dynamics
- Net Position: Trade deficit of $4.2B (Imports $27.45B > Exports $23.25B).
- Relationship Status: Indonesia remains a net importer, with reliance on Chinese goods outweighing export demand. Volatility in both directions suggests uneven trade flows.
Indonesia Import Trend from Mainland China 2024 Whole Year (Source: yTrade)**
| Month | Value | MoM | YoY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 5.96B | 8.47% | 8.06% |
| Feb | 6.08B | 2.03% | 48.19% |
| Mar | 4.60B | -24.33% | -19.6% |
| Apr | 4.71B | 2.34% | 12.3% |
| May | 6.11B | 29.81% | 2.07% |
| Total | 27.45B | - | - |
Indonesia Export Trend to Mainland China 2024 Whole Year (Source: yTrade)**
| Month | Value | MoM | YoY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 4.82B | -20.98% | -10.81% |
| Feb | 4.11B | -14.73% | -21.87% |
| Mar | 4.89B | 19.01% | -17.1% |
| Apr | 4.50B | -8.09% | -6.98% |
| May | 4.92B | 9.41% | -1.45% |
| Total | 23.25B | - | - |
Get Historical Indonesia Mainland China Trade Records
Indonesia-Mainland China Top Trading Products in Whole Year 2024
Indonesia Export Profile: What Does Indonesia Sell to Mainland China
- Top Commodity: Rank #1 Export is HS 72 (Iron & Steel) at 28.58% of total exports to Mainland China.
- Demand Driver: Mainland China uses these raw materials (Iron & Steel, HS 27 - Fuels, HS 75 - Nickel) for industrial processing and infrastructure development.
- Concentration: The top 2 categories (HS 72 & HS 27) dominate with 55.06% combined share, indicating high trade concentration.
Indonesia Import Profile: What Does Indonesia Buy from Mainland China
- Top Commodity: Rank #1 Import is HS 84 (Machinery) at 24.11% of total imports from Mainland China.
- Dependency Nature: Critical technology dependency, as HS 84 (Machinery) and HS 85 (Electronics) account for 46.58% of imports, reflecting reliance on Chinese industrial equipment.
Indonesia - Mainland China Trade Relationship Dynamics
- The Exchange Model: Resource-for-Tech Complementarity. Indonesia exports raw materials (Iron, Fuels, Nickel) and imports high-value machinery and electronics.
- Value Chain Position: Mainland China holds the higher value-add position, supplying advanced manufactured goods, while Indonesia provides commodities.
Import Analysis by Product: Mainland China to Indonesia (Source: yTrade)
| HS Code | Value | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| 84 | 6.62B | 24.11% |
| 85 | 6.17B | 22.47% |
| 39 | 1.34B | 4.89% |
| 72 | 1.29B | 4.71% |
| 29 | 983.38M | 3.58% |
| 87 | 964.45M | 3.51% |
| 73 | 858.45M | 3.13% |
| 27 | 692.71M | 2.52% |
| 94 | 583.18M | 2.12% |
| 38 | 538.10M | 1.96% |
Export Analysis by Product: Indonesia to Mainland China (Source: yTrade)
| HS Code | Value | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| 72 | 6.64B | 28.58% |
| 27 | 6.16B | 26.48% |
| 75 | 2.19B | 9.42% |
| 15 | 1.53B | 6.58% |
| 47 | 1.02B | 4.41% |
| 26 | 885.83M | 3.81% |
| 38 | 744.59M | 3.20% |
| 74 | 402.31M | 1.73% |
| 03 | 380.63M | 1.64% |
| 28 | 328.84M | 1.41% |
Check Detailed Indonesia-Mainland China Trade HS Code Breakdown
Future Outlook & Strategic Recommendations
Forecast
The Indonesia - Mainland China trade forecast for 2025 points to continued volatility, driven by uneven demand for Indonesian commodities and China’s fluctuating industrial appetite. While Indonesia’s export decline in early 2024 suggests short-term headwinds, structural reliance on raw materials (iron, steel, fuels) by China’s infrastructure sector may stabilize volumes. However, the persistent trade deficit underscores Indonesia’s vulnerability to price swings and import dependency. Traders should brace for sporadic rebounds but prepare for a phase of consolidation rather than sustained growth.
Strategic Moves
- Diversify Export Markets: Reduce overreliance on China by targeting emerging ASEAN and South Asian buyers for commodities like nickel and steel, mitigating demand shocks.
- Lock In Long-Term Supply Contracts: Indonesian exporters of iron and fuels should secure multi-year agreements with Chinese industrial buyers to stabilize revenue streams amid volatile pricing.
- Boost Domestic Tech Capacity: To curb import dependency, Indonesia must accelerate local production of machinery (HS 84) and electronics (HS 85) through partnerships or FDI in manufacturing hubs outside Java.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Indonesia - Mainland China trade perform in 2024 Whole Year?
Indonesia recorded a trade deficit of $4.2B, with exports to Mainland China at $23.25B and imports at $27.45B. Both exports and imports showed mixed YoY growth trends with notable volatility.
What are the top exports from Indonesia to Mainland China?
The top exports are HS 72 (Iron & Steel) at 28.58% and HS 27 (Fuels), together accounting for 55.06% of total exports. These raw materials support Mainland China’s industrial and infrastructure needs.
What does Indonesia import from Mainland China?
The top imports are HS 84 (Machinery) at 24.11% and HS 85 (Electronics), making up 46.58% of total imports, reflecting Indonesia’s reliance on Chinese industrial equipment and technology.
What is the trade balance between Indonesia and Mainland China?
Indonesia had a trade deficit of $4.2B in 2024, with imports exceeding exports. The deficit highlights Indonesia’s net importer position in this resource-for-tech trade relationship.
Indonesia - Mainland China Trade 2023 Q4: Stable Resource-for-Tech Exchange
Indonesia's Mainland China trade trend shows a stable $34.4B exchange, with raw materials dominating exports and machinery as top trading product. Insights via yTrade.
Indonesia - Mainland China Trade 2024 Q1: Deficit Narrows
Indonesia's trade deficit with Mainland China narrowed in Q1 2024, driven by weaker import growth. Explore Indonesia Mainland China trade trends and top trading products with yTrade data.
