Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) said Indonesias exports were valued at US$150.25 billion in 2015 or 14.62 percent lower than in 2014.

The exports in 2015 shrank from US$175.98 billion in 2014 but surplus was still recorded at US$7.5 billion, BPS chief Suryamin told reporters here on Friday.

Exports of manufactured goods outside oil and gas fell 9.11 percent and those of mining commodities dropped 14.99 percent and exports of farm commodities slid 2.45 percent.

In December 2015 alone, exports were valued at US$11.89 billion or 17.66 percent lower year-on-year.

For commodities outside oil and gas the United States was the largest export destination in December, 2015 with exports valued at US$1.32 billion, followed by China to which exports valued at US$1.23 billion and Japan US$1.18 billion.

"Exports of the commodities to the 27 member countries of the European Union were valued at US$1.23 billion," Suryamin said.

In December 2015, a deficit was recorded in trade at US$235.8 million.

Meanwhile, the countrys imports in 2015 were valued at US$142.74 billion favoring the country with a surplus of US$7.51 billion.

The surplus, however, was more on sharper decline in imports. In 2014, a deficit was even recorded at US$1.88 billion despite higher exports of US$176.29 billion than US$150.25 billion in 2015.

Imports in 2014 were valued at US$178.18 billion, down to only US$142.74 billion in 2015.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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