Aceh Province's primary export commodity continues to be coal. India is noted as the primary destination. According to data from the Aceh Province Indonesia Statistics (BPS), in June 2025, the value of coal exports to India reached USD 31.77 million, equivalent to approximately IDR 516 billion (with an exchange rate of IDR 16,250). The Acting Head of the Aceh BPS, Tasdik Ilhamuddin, has stated that in June 2025, Aceh Province's largest exports were destined for India, totalling USD 38.61 million, with coal as the primary commodity. Approximately 82% of the total export value to India was coal, with the remainder consisting of other commodities. In summary, the total value of exports from Aceh in June 2025 was recorded at USD 48.7 million, equivalent to approximately IDR 793 billion. However, shipments were not all routed through ports in Aceh. Approximately 22% of the IDR 171 billion was exported through ports outside Aceh, primarily via the Belawan Port in North Sumatra. The remaining USD 38.16 million, equivalent to approximately IDR 622 billion, was shipped through ports in Aceh. In addition to coal, Aceh also exports coffee, spices, chemical products, meat, and fish.
Coal is sourced from mines under the management of PT Mifa Bersaudara in West Aceh and PT Bara Energi Lestari (BEL) in Nagan Raya. Both companies are subsidiaries of the PT Media Djaya Bersama business group. PT Mifa Bersaudara is the largest contributor. In 2023, PT Mifa Bersaudara produced 7.1 million tons of coal, 6.8 million of which were sold. Around 5.67 million tons were exported, and 1.13 million tons were sold domestically. The export value of PT Mifa Bersaudara reached USD 280.82 million, accounting for over 80% of Aceh's total coal exports. Meanwhile, in 2024, the total export value of Aceh's coal reached USD 338.58 million. Meanwhile, in 2023, PT BEL's export value was recorded at USD 82.40 million. Aceh is estimated to have coal reserves of around 1.5 billion metric tons, with 500 million tons already geologically measured.
