Indonesia’s export landscape is undergoing a significant transformation as the government rolls out new policies and support measures across the commodities and manufacturing sectors. On December 23, 2025, the Ministry of Trade (Kemendag) officially implemented the Reference Price (HR) and Export Benchmark Price (HPE) for gold, while the Ministry of Finance announced a major export credit facility for the furniture industry. Meanwhile, the rattan sector in Sukoharjo celebrated the inauguration of a new production hub, and palm oil markets saw robust growth in both production and exports. These developments, taken together, reflect Indonesia’s growing ambition to add value to its natural resources and boost its competitiveness in global markets.
According to KONTAN.CO.ID, Kemendag set the HR for gold at US$133,912.59 per kilogram and the HPE at US$4,165.15 per troy ounce, effective from December 23 to December 31, 2025. This move, formalized in Ministerial Decree Number 2369 of 2025, marks the beginning of a new era for Indonesia’s gold export regulation. The HR and HPE serve as the basis for calculating export duties, a policy shift that aims to enhance governance and increase the added value of the country’s mineral resources. The decree was signed on December 22 and came into effect the following day, providing a clear regulatory framework for gold exporters.
Tommy Andana, Acting Director General of Foreign Trade at the Ministry of Trade, explained the rationale behind these new benchmarks. “The determination of HPE and HR for gold commodities is influenced by the weakening US dollar and increased investor interest in precious metals as hedge assets,” he said in an official statement, as reported by KONTAN.CO.ID. The technical calculation drew on input from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, referencing the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) Gold PM Fix data from November 19 to December 9, 2025. Tommy emphasized that the process was conducted credibly and transparently, offering business certainty to industry players.
The HR is now the foundation for setting export duty tariffs on gold, while the HPE acts as the reference price for export duty imposition. This regulatory overhaul follows the Ministry of Finance Regulation Number 80 of 2025, which was enacted on November 17, 2025. “The export duty regulation on gold is the government’s effort to strengthen gold commodity governance and encourage increased value addition to national mineral resources,” Tommy stated, echoing sentiments from a separate statement covered by Bisnis.com.
Coordination for the gold pricing policy involved multiple ministries, including the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, the Ministry of Trade, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Industry. This cross-ministerial effort was designed to ensure that the HR and HPE reflect real market dynamics and are implemented objectively. The export duty applies to a broad range of gold forms, from raw dore and ingots to granules and minted bars, signaling a comprehensive approach to gold export regulation.
While the gold sector was adapting to new export duties, the furniture industry received a much-needed boost. On the same day, Minister of Finance Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa pledged Rp 2 trillion (approximately US$140 million) in export credit facilities via the Indonesian Eximbank (LPEI), specifically targeting textile and furniture companies. As reported by Investor.id, this initiative responds to longstanding complaints from business players about limited access to affordable capital—a key barrier to scaling up exports and competing globally.
“We have prepared Rp 2 trillion for textile and furniture companies. They can come to LPEI, with an interest rate of 6%. That is my promise to them,” Purbaya declared during a press conference at the Ministry of Finance. Currently, LPEI’s credit volume to the furniture sector is only Rp 200 billion, far short of the Rp 16 trillion requested by industry players. The government’s initial allocation is intended as a stimulus, with future increases possible if the sector demonstrates strong performance.
The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) has highlighted the country’s untapped potential in furniture exports. Indonesia’s current export value stands at US$2.5 billion, a modest figure compared to the US$300 billion global market. Moreover, about 60% of Indonesian furniture exports are shipped to the United States, underscoring the need for market diversification. Abdul Sobur, Chairman of the Indonesian Furniture and Handicraft Industry Association (HIMKI), stressed the importance of affordable financing and expanded market access to help the sector compete with regional rivals like Vietnam. “One of the most significant factors is the reduction of interest rates or special facilities where access to cheap capital is available,” Sobur noted.
In Central Java, the rattan industry is also in the spotlight. On December 18, 2025, Minister for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (UMKM) Maman Abdurrahman urged the district of Sukoharjo to maintain both the supply and quality of its rattan products, which have long been a staple of Indonesia’s export portfolio. According to Warta Ekonomi, Maman officiated the export of a 40-foot container of rattan furniture valued at US$12,612 from the Trangsan Manunggal Jaya Cooperative to Spain. He stressed the need for regular exports, timely delivery, and uncompromising product quality to ensure sustainable growth in the sector.
The event also marked the inauguration of the Rumah Produksi Bersama (RPB) for rattan commodities in Sukoharjo—a shared production facility aimed at standardizing quality, boosting efficiency, and fostering innovation among local producers. Indonesia remains the world’s largest supplier of rattan, producing around 1.7 million poles (15,000 tons) in 2024 and accounting for about 80% of global demand. The RPB, managed by the Trangsan Manunggal Jaya Cooperative, operates two production lines—processing raw rattan and producing semi-finished furniture—and exports to France, Canada, Spain, and the United Arab Emirates. These products have achieved certifications such as ISO 9001:2015, SNI for school chairs and tables, and the SVLK legal and sustainability verification.
The government is also supporting rattan SMEs through the KUR Padat Karya program, which provides financing for production equipment to boost capacity and quality. The long-term vision is to help small producers “move up the value chain” through improved production standards, design innovation, and expanded market access.
Meanwhile, the palm oil sector continues to show strong performance. As reported by Bloomberg Technoz, Indonesia’s crude palm oil (CPO) production reached 4.35 million tons in October 2025, up 10.68% from September. Palm oil product exports jumped 27.09% to 2.79 million tons, while palm kernel oil (PKO) production also increased. Year-on-year, combined CPO and PKO output until October totaled 48.09 million tons, a 9.85% rise over 2024. Domestic consumption also grew, particularly for biodiesel, which saw a 12.15% increase to 1.2 million tons in October.
The positive outlook for palm oil was mirrored in futures trading. According to Agricom, on December 22, 2025, CPO futures on Bursa Malaysia rose by RM 58 per ton (1.49%) to RM 3,963 per metric ton, driven by solid export data, bargain buying, and higher global crude oil prices. Intertek Testing Services estimated that Malaysia’s palm oil exports from December 1 to 20 increased by 2.4% over the previous month, reinforcing optimism in the market despite mixed movements in global vegetable oil prices.
From gold to rattan, furniture to palm oil, Indonesia’s government is taking decisive steps to modernize its export framework, support domestic industries, and capture greater value from its abundant resources. As these policies unfold, exporters and producers alike are hoping for a more competitive, diversified, and resilient future on the world stage.
