The Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DJBC) in South Sulawesi recorded that as of December 2023, the trade balance of South Sulawesi remains in surplus, amounting to approximately USD 1.18 billion or equivalent to IDR 18.5 trillion (at the exchange rate of IDR 15,700). Stefanus Palinggi, Head of the Receipts and Data Management Section at the DJBC South Sulawesi Regional Office, stated on Wednesday in Makassar that South Sulawesi has consistently maintained a trade surplus from 2019 to 2024, spanning 47 consecutive months, covering the period before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The surplus in South Sulawesi's trade balance each month is attributed to the province's key commodities, which consistently contribute significantly to export figures. Nickel, in particular, contributes over 50% of the total commodity exports each month, thereby making a substantial contribution to the country's foreign exchange reserves.
Stefanus highlighted that in 2023, nickel-matte, the primary commodity, recorded a trade value of USD 1.2 billion, constituting 57.36% of the total trade. Following closely is ferro-nickel, accounting for USD 308.13 million or 14.34%, seaweed with a transaction value of USD 196.77 million (9.16%), carrageenan at USD 83.32 million or approximately 3.88%, and cement at USD 63.41 million or 2.95%. The top five commodities, namely nickel matte, ferro-nickel, marine products, carrageenan, and cement, played a significant role in South Sulawesi's trade balance in 2023. These exports are crucial contributors to the province's economic stability. South Sulawesi primarily exports to Japan, China, Australia, the United States, and Taiwan, emphasizing the province's diverse trading partners. The continuous surplus in trade indicates the robustness of South Sulawesi's export-oriented economy and the resilience of its key commodities in global markets.
