The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) recorded that agricultural export transactions recorded up to USD 4.24 billion. This value increased 2.86% compared to the previous year which recorded transactions worth USD4.12 billion. "This increase was caused by increased exports of medicinal plants, aromatics, and spices," said Head of the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), Margo Yuwono at a BPS press conference conducted online, Monday (17/1). Overall, BPS noted that Indonesia's exports during 2021 reached USD231.54 billion, an increase of 41.88% compared to the previous year. Non-oil and gas exports accounted for 94.7% of total exports in 2021 which reached USD 231.54 billion. The agricultural sector is said to have contributed 1.83%. The largest share of non-oil and gas exports in 2021 will be contributed by two commodities, namely mineral fuels and animal/vegetable fats and oils. “The export value of mineral fuels reached USD 32.84 billion. Meanwhile, animal/vegetable fats and oils have an export value of USD32.83 billion,” said Margo.
Meanwhile, the Head of the Public Relations and Public Information Bureau of the Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan) Kuntoro Boga Andri said the record of agricultural export performance during 2021 continued the positive trend that had been inscribed by this sector, especially since the pandemic. “During the pandemic, the agricultural sector managed to become the backbone of the Indonesian economy. The increase in agricultural exports in 2021 indicates that agriculture will still consistently carry out this role," said Kuntoro. As part of efforts to improve export performance, the Ministry of Agriculture is currently running the Three Times Exports Movement or Gratieks Movement program. Initiated by Minister of Agriculture Syahrul Yasin Limpo, Gratieks aims to boost agricultural export traffic by three to four times. "This program involves the use of technology, digitization, research, networking and collaboration between all parties, both upstream and downstream," concluded Kuntoro.
