Indonesia - South Korea Trade 2025 Q2: $210M Surplus
Key Market Takeaways: Indonesia - South Korea Trade
The bilateral trade relationship between Indonesia and South Korea shows growth with notable volatility in Q2 2025.
- Indonesia maintains a $210M trade surplus, with $2.26B in exports to South Korea outpacing $2.05B in imports, though monthly swings reveal demand fluctuations.
- Indonesia - South Korea trade statistics highlight a resource-for-tech exchange: Indonesia supplies fuels and minerals (25.4% of exports) while importing high-tech machinery (19.4% of imports).
- Complementary economies reinforce ties, with South Korea holding the higher value-add position in this supply chain partnership.
This bilateral trade snapshot is based on verified customs data from the yTrade database.
Indonesia-South Korea Trade Trend in Q2 2025
Indonesia Export Performance: Shipments to South Korea
- Total Volume: $2.26B in Q2 2025.
- Growth Trend & Context:
- YoY growth was mixed, with May showing a 15.2% increase but April declining sharply (-38.41%). June stagnated at 0% YoY.
- Key Volatility: May saw a 46.31% MoM surge, while June dropped -23.72% MoM.
Indonesia Import Performance: Sourcing from South Korea
- Total Volume: $2.05B in Q2 2025.
- Growth Trend & Context:
- YoY growth peaked in April (+12.06%) but slowed to 0% by June. May’s 5.54% YoY rise was modest.
- Key Volatility: June imports fell -18.4% MoM, the sharpest quarterly drop.
Indonesia - South Korea Trade Balance & Market Dynamics
- Net Position: $210M trade surplus for Indonesia (Exports: $2.26B > Imports: $2.05B).
- Relationship Status: Indonesia maintains a net exporter role, though import volatility suggests fluctuating demand for South Korean goods.
Indonesia Import Trend from South Korea 2025 Q2 (Source: yTrade)**
| Month | Value | MoM | YoY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr | 694.07M | -1.8% | 12.06% |
| May | 748.42M | 7.83% | 5.54% |
| Jun | 610.69M | -18.4% | 0.0% |
| Total | 2.05B | - | - |
Indonesia Export Trend to South Korea 2025 Q2 (Source: yTrade)**
| Month | Value | MoM | YoY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr | 631.23M | -27.42% | -38.41% |
| May | 923.55M | 46.31% | 15.2% |
| Jun | 704.45M | -23.72% | 0.0% |
| Total | 2.26B | - | - |
Get Historical Indonesia South Korea Trade Records
Indonesia-South Korea Top Trading Products in Q2 2025
Indonesia Export Profile: What Does Indonesia Sell to South Korea
- Top Commodity: HS Code 27 (Mineral fuels, oils, distillation products) dominates at 25.43% of exports.
- Demand Driver: South Korea uses these for industrial processing and energy needs.
- Concentration: No single category exceeds 50%, but HS Code 27 holds a strong quarter share.
Indonesia Import Profile: What Does Indonesia Buy from South Korea
- Top Commodity: HS Code 85 (Electrical machinery, equipment) leads at 19.43% of imports.
- Dependency Nature: Critical technology dependency, reflecting South Korea’s strength in high-tech manufacturing.
Indonesia - South Korea Trade Relationship Dynamics
- The Exchange Model: Resource-for-Tech Complementarity. Indonesia supplies raw materials (fuels, ores) while importing high-tech goods (machinery, electronics).
- Value Chain Position: South Korea holds the higher value-add position, exporting advanced manufactured goods against Indonesia’s resource-heavy exports.
Import Analysis by Product: South Korea to Indonesia (Source: yTrade)
| HS Code | Value | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| 85 | 398.92M | 19.43% |
| 72 | 248.94M | 12.12% |
| 39 | 203.78M | 9.93% |
| 84 | 183.81M | 8.95% |
| 87 | 84.46M | 4.11% |
| 40 | 70.97M | 3.46% |
| 27 | 70.83M | 3.45% |
| 29 | 62.88M | 3.06% |
| 60 | 61.23M | 2.98% |
| 28 | 56.11M | 2.73% |
Export Analysis by Product: Indonesia to South Korea (Source: yTrade)
| HS Code | Value | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| 27 | 574.47M | 25.43% |
| 85 | 355.07M | 15.72% |
| 26 | 183.01M | 8.10% |
| 72 | 146.02M | 6.46% |
| 38 | 107.39M | 4.75% |
| 44 | 86.59M | 3.83% |
| 15 | 67.92M | 3.01% |
| 28 | 66.76M | 2.95% |
| 80 | 62.05M | 2.75% |
| 64 | 57.50M | 2.55% |
Check Detailed Indonesia-South Korea Trade HS Code Breakdown
Future Outlook & Strategic Recommendations
Forecast
Indonesia’s trade surplus with South Korea is expected to hold steady in Q3 2025, supported by sustained demand for mineral fuels (HS Code 27) and South Korea’s reliance on Indonesian raw materials. However, volatility in monthly trade flows—particularly the sharp June drop in imports—suggests potential near-term turbulence, possibly tied to fluctuating industrial demand or supply chain adjustments. High-tech imports (HS Code 85) will remain critical for Indonesia’s manufacturing sector, reinforcing the resource-for-tech exchange. Traders should prepare for price swings in energy commodities and tech components, as both markets face external pressures from global energy prices and semiconductor demand cycles.
Strategic Moves
- Lock in Fuel Supply Contracts: Indonesian exporters of mineral fuels should secure long-term agreements with South Korean buyers to stabilize revenue amid volatile MoM price shifts.
- Diversify Tech Imports: Indonesian manufacturers must reduce overreliance on South Korean electronics by exploring alternative suppliers in Japan or Taiwan to mitigate supply chain risks.
- Monitor Industrial Demand Signals: Traders on both sides should track South Korea’s factory output data and Indonesia’s infrastructure spending plans to anticipate shifts in commodity and machinery trade volumes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Indonesia - South Korea trade perform in 2025 Q2?
Indonesia recorded a $210M trade surplus, with exports totaling $2.26B and imports at $2.05B. Growth was mixed, with May exports surging 15.2% YoY but April declining sharply (-38.41%).
What are the top exports from Indonesia to South Korea?
Mineral fuels, oils, and distillation products (HS Code 27) dominated, accounting for 25.43% of Indonesia’s exports to South Korea.
What does Indonesia import from South Korea?
Electrical machinery and equipment (HS Code 85) led imports, making up 19.43% of Indonesia’s purchases from South Korea.
What is the trade balance between Indonesia and South Korea?
Indonesia maintained a trade surplus of $210M in Q2 2025, driven by higher exports of raw materials against imports of high-tech goods.
Indonesia - South Korea Trade 2025 Q1: Resource-Tech Surplus
Indonesia's $480M trade surplus with South Korea highlights resource-for-tech exchange, with mineral fuels and electrical machinery dominating. Explore Indonesia South Korea trade trends on yTrade.
Indonesia - South Korea Trade 2025 Q3: Stagnant Growth
Indonesia's South Korea trade trend shows stagnant growth in Q3 2025, with a $137M surplus. Key Indonesia South Korea top trading products include mineral fuels and electrical machinery. Data via yTrade.
