Kepri’s export and import activities spike in H1 2025, driven by electrical machinery and oil.
Trade activity in Indonesia’s Riau Islands (Kepri) surged in the first half of 2025, with both exports and imports showing significant year-on-year growth. Singapore emerged as the primary destination for exports, underscoring the region’s deepening trade ties with its closest neighbor.
Export Growth Driven by Machinery
The Riau Islands Province recorded a robust increase in export value from January to June 2025, totaling US$12.31 billion, according to Margareta, Head of the Riau Islands’ Central Statistics Agency (BPS). This marked a 26.64% increase from the same period in 2024. The primary export driver was electrical machinery and equipment, which dominated non-oil and gas (nonmigas) exports.
Singapore Tops Export Destinations
Among Kepri’s trading partners, Singapore led as the top export destination, followed by the United States. The proximity of Singapore, coupled with its established trade infrastructure, continues to make it a strategic export hub for Kepri-based goods.
Major Ports Handle Bulk of Trade
The majority of export activities were facilitated through five major seaports in the province:
- Pelabuhan Batu Ampar
- Pelabuhan Sekupang
- Pelabuhan Tanjung Balai Karimun
- Pelabuhan Kabil
- Pelabuhan Kijang
These ports remain vital logistics arteries in the province’s trade ecosystem.
Imports Skyrocket on Oil and Industrial Goods
Kepri’s import figures also saw a steep climb, reaching US$11.43 billion, a 43.10% jump from US$7.99 billion in the same timeframe last year. This surge was driven primarily by a 90% increase in oil and gas (migas) imports, especially refined oil products valued at US$1.74 billion, making up 15% of the total imports.
Non-Oil Imports Dominate Overall Trade
Nonmigas imports made up the lion’s share of the total import value, reaching US$9.34 billion, or over 81% of all imports. These mainly comprised industrial goods and raw materials, underlining the growing industrial demand and infrastructure expansion within the province.
The data highlights Kepri’s increasing role as a strategic trade zone in Southeast Asia, with Singapore remaining a key export partner. The sharp rise in oil and industrial imports suggests accelerating domestic demand and regional economic integration. These developments hold strategic value for Indonesian suppliers and Singaporean buyers alike, reinforcing economic interdependence in the region.
Sources: Harian Kepri (2025) , Gotvnews (2025)
Keywords: Kepri Export, Kepri Import, Singapore Destination, Electrical Machinery, Oil Imports, BPS Report
