The East Java Central Statistics Agency (BPS) released East Java's export performance in January 2023, which was realized at US$1.63 billion, or decreased -12.08 percent compared to December 2022, or decreased -8.38 percent compared to January 2022. Head of East Java BPS, Dadang Hardiwan said East Java's exports in December 2022 could reach US$1.85 billion, and also in January 2022 it could reach US$1.78 billion. "During January 2023, all sectors also experienced a decline in foreign market demand both on a year on year (yoy) and month to month (mtm) basis," he said, Wednesday (15/2/2023).

He explained that East Java's exports in January 2023 in the agricultural sector were recorded at US$55.62 million or decreased -21.53 percent (mtm) and decreased -16.53 percent (yoy). The manufacturing sector was recorded at US$1.57 billion, down -11.58 percent (mtm) and down -7.76 percent (yoy).

In the mining sector, it was recorded at US$2.87 million, down -49.01 percent (mtm) and down -66.87 percent (yoy). "Only the oil and gas sector grew 92.45 percent (yoy) but fell -25.50 percent on mtm basis," he added.

  As for the categories of goods that are experiencing foreign market demand in January 2023, namely various chemical products, pharmaceutical products, inorganic chemicals, electrical machinery and equipment, as well as goods made of iron and steel. While the categories of goods that experienced a decline in demand were copper, vegetable fats and oils, iron and steel, crustacean fish and molluscs, and jewelry/gems.

"For countries that have experienced an increase in demand for goods from East Java, namely Japan, the United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, Hong Kong and Italy. While those who dropped were Finland, the United States (US), Singapore, China and Switzerland," added Dadang.

During January 2023, the share of non-oil and gas exports in East Java was contributed by Japan 18.41 percent, the US 14.38 percent, China 11.49 percent, followed by Malaysia, Vietnam, India, South Korea, Singapore, Netherlands, Australia.

Chairman of the East Java Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), Adik Dwi Putranto, said that this year, East Java's export performance is projected to drop -2 percent due to the global situation and the impact of the recession in a number of countries.

"For this reason, we must try to find non-traditional markets, such as in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the European Union. We are trying to coordinate with the Indonesian Embassies in a number of non-traditional countries to increase our exports this year," he said.

According to him, finding non-traditional markets for large industries will usually be easier considering that large companies already have an intelligent market, while MSMEs are still experiencing problems so a strong role is needed from Indonesian representatives abroad.

"It is possible that exports that will be affected by reduced demand are durable goods such as furniture, textiles and jewelry, but demand for these food and beverage products will not decrease," Adik added.