PRESS RELEASE BPS-STATISTICS SULAWESI TENGAH PROVINCE

Central Sulawesi Trade Balance Surplus in July 2025 Declined by 1.77 Percent Compared to July 2024

Palu, (1/9) – International trade performance from the export side in July 2025 recorded a value of US$1,635.79 million. This figure reflects a decline of US$151.32 million compared to July 2024, when exports reached US$1,787.11 million.

Ten major commodities have been monitored since January, with Iron and Steel contributing the largest share of 63.54 percent or US$1,039.45 million. Nickel ranked second, accounting for 17.33 percent or US$283.43 million, followed by Mineral Fuels in third place at US$161.95 million or 9.9 percent. Overall, commodities outside the top ten contributed less than one percent to Central Sulawesi’s exports in July 2025.

The cumulative export value of Central Sulawesi from January to July 2025 reached US$12,063.50 million, showing a decline of US$18.62 million compared to the same period in 2024 (US$12,082.12 million). The majority of shipments were loaded through Bahodopi Port, which accounted for 78.27 percent of total exports. Exports shipped through ports or airports outside Central Sulawesi contributed less than one percent.

In July 2025, a total of 29 export partner countries were recorded. China remained the largest destination market with a value of US$727.77 million. The three main commodities exported to China were Iron and Steel (US$348.65 million), Nickel (US$257.03 million), and Aluminum (US$91.36 million). India ranked second, accounting for 10.53 percent of exports, with a total value of US$172.25 million—dominated by Iron and Steel at US$147.45 million. Taiwan was the third-largest destination, with exports valued at US$159.31 million, nearly 98 percent of which were Iron and Steel (US$155.72 million). Cumulatively, China contributed 43.42 percent of Central Sulawesi’s total exports, equivalent to US$5,238.50 million.

From the import side, Central Sulawesi’s transactions in July 2025 with 23 partner countries amounted to US$916.79 million, representing a decline of US$187.23 million compared to July 2024. The largest contributor was Machinery/Mechanical Appliances at US$291.21 million or 31.76 percent of total imports. Mineral Fuels followed with 20.14 percent (US$184.62 million), while Ores, Slag, and Ash ranked third with 13.28 percent (US$121.79 million). Imports outside the top ten monitored commodities contributed 10.54 percent, equivalent to US$96.62 million. Cumulatively, Central Sulawesi’s imports from January to July 2025 totaled US$6,473.92 million.

China was the largest import partner, supplying 60.04 percent of the province’s total imports, or US$550.43 million. The three main import commodities from China were Machinery/Mechanical Appliances (US$288.21 million), Electrical Machinery/Equipment (US$51.92 million), and Articles of Iron and Steel (US$31.13 million). Australia ranked second, contributing 9.92 percent (US$90.98 million), primarily Mineral Fuels (US$52.79 million). South Africa followed in third place with a share of 7.63 percent or US$70.49 million, mainly Ores, Slag, and Ash (US$60.01 million).

The trade balance in July 2025 recorded a surplus of US$719.00 million, a decline of 1.77 percent compared to July 2024, when the surplus stood at US$731.97 million. Overall, since January 2025, Central Sulawesi’s trade balance has consistently recorded a surplus, with a cumulative value of US$5,589,72 million.

CENTRAL SULAWESI RECORDS 4.02 PERCENT YEAR-ON-YEAR INFLATION IN AUGUST 2025

Based on monitoring conducted by Statistics Indonesia (BPS) of Central Sulawesi across four regions, the province recorded year-on-year (y-on-y) inflation of 4.02 percent in August 2025. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased from 106.75 in August 2024 to 111.04 in August 2025. On a month-to-month (m-to-m) basis, inflation was recorded at 0.06 percent, while year-to-date (y-to-d) inflation stood at 3.62 percent.

The expenditure group contributing the largest share to monthly inflation was Food and Beverage Provision/Restaurants, which experienced an inflation rate of 0.74 percent and contributed 0.06 percentage points. The Personal Care and Other Services group recorded inflation of 0.17 percent, contributing 0.02 percentage points, while the Education group experienced inflation of 0.30 percent, contributing 0.01 percentage points.

Key commodities driving monthly inflation included rice, shallots, mackerel tuna, skipjack tuna, scads, rice with side dishes, fresh shrimp, cucumbers, katamba fish, and eggplants. Conversely, commodities that contributed to monthly deflation included tomatoes, bird’s eye chili, red chili, garlic, broiler chicken meat, and cooking oil.

By region, three areas experienced monthly inflation: Luwuk (0.55 percent), Morowali Regency (0.06 percent), and Palu City (0.17 percent). In contrast, Tolitoli Regency recorded a monthly deflation of 0.82 percent.

FARMERS’ TERMS OF TRADE DECLINED BY 0.75 PERCENT

The Farmers’ Terms of Trade (FTT) in Central Sulawesi for August 2025 was recorded at 110.27, a decline of 0.75 percent compared to July 2025. The decrease in FTT was driven by a 0.51 percent decline in the Farmers’ Received Price Index, while at the same time the Farmers’ Paid Price Index increased by 0.24 percent. In addition, BPS-Statistics also reported that the Farm Household Business Exchange Rate stood at 114.31 in August 2025, marking a decline of 0.71 percent compared to the previous month.

DOMESTIC TOURIST ARRIVALS TO CENTRAL SULAWESI INCREASE IN JULY 2025

The number of domestic tourist trips to Central Sulawesi in July 2025 was recorded at 951.62 thousand trips, marking an increase of 23.62 percent compared to July 2024.

Cumulatively, from January to July 2025, domestic tourist trips to the province reached 6.79 million trips, reflecting a growth of 13.20 percent compared to the same period in the previous year.

STAR-RATED HOTELS RECORD A DECLINE IN ROOM OCCUPANCY RATES

In July 2025, the room occupancy rate of star-rated hotel accommodations was recorded at 49.45 percent, representing a decrease of 5.01 percentage points compared to July 2024.

AIR TRANSPORT PASSENGERS INCREASE, WHILE SEA TRANSPORT PASSENGERS DECLINE IN CENTRAL SULAWESI DURING JULY

The number of air transport passengers traveling through airports in Central Sulawesi during July 2025 was recorded at 103,710 persons, an increase of 2.78 percent compared to June 2025. In contrast, the number of sea transport passengers, both departing and arriving through ports in Central Sulawesi, decreased by 2.22 percent in July 2025 compared to the previous month.

Media Contact

Imron Taufik J. Musa

Acting Head of BPS-Statistics Sulawesi Tengah Province

[email protected]