Agricom.id, JAKARTA – In the pandemic of corona virus (Covid-19), the trade balance of Indonesia got surplus about US$743. It happened for the exports reached US$14,09 billion or increased 0,23 percent from US$14,06 billion in  February 2020.

Based on the sector, the agriculture one got the increasing numbers both in month and in year

Head of Central Bureau of Statistic (CBS), Suhariyanto said that the agriculture exports significantly increase both monthly and yearly. The exports reached US$ 320 million, or increased 6,10 percent (mtm) and 17,82 percent (yoy).

"The commodities which increased, such as, medicine and aromatic plantations; spices, fruits, non-wood forests productions, and swift’s nest,” he said, Wednesday (15/4/2020) as in the official statement to Agricom.id.

He thought, the agriculture plays the important roles in the exports. The non-oil and gas exports reached US$ 13,42 billion or increased 1,24 percent from the previous which reached US$13,26 billion in February 2020. While the oil and gas exports decreased 16,29 percent from US$ 800 million to be US$ 670 million.

In March 2020, Singapore, Malaysia, and Ukraine were the importers from Indonesia within the highest numbers reaching USD 281,5 million; USD 89,7 million; and USD 46,4 million for each.

But the biggest non – oil and gas exports in March were China reaching US$1,98 billion, the United States of America reaching US$ 1,57 billion, and Japan reaching US$1,14 billion, within the contribution reaching 34,99 percent. The exports to European Union (27 countries) reached US$ 1,22 billion.

"Though in this unpredictable situation, this is better than it in the previous month,” he said.

Head Bureau of Public Information and Relation, Ministry of Agriculture, Kuntoro Boga Andri said that the increasing exports in agriculture are the evidences that the agriculture could be the pillar of economy nationally.

“If the health officers are the front liners, the farmers are the back liners in the epidemic of Covid-19. We thank them for maintaining the food and economy nationally,” he said. (A2)