Indonesia's exports of personal protective equipment (PPE) have decreased in the second year of the pandemic. Increased awareness of the spread of Covid-19 cases due to the Omicron variant is not expected to directly increase the performance of this group's products. "Exports of PPE [personal protective equipment] are likely to decline in 2021 compared to 2020. It is possible that in 2022 it will also return to a normal point like 2019," said Deputy Chair of the Indonesian Textile Association (API) Anne Patricia Sutanto, Thursday (9/12/2021).

Data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) shows that exports of 6 products that fall into the PPE category and their raw materials have decreased in the January to September 2021 period.

BPS noted that exports of meltbown cloth, surgical masks, N95 respirator masks, medical protective clothing, and surgical gowns during this period were valued at US$40.58 million, far down from the achievement in the same period a year earlier which reached US$175.27 million.

"This decrease is quite reasonable because in 2020 a new pandemic has occurred, many countries are still not sure what the proper handling will be. It's different from 2021 when vaccinations start running and it's clearer about how the virus is transmitted," continued Anne.

Although PPE exports showed a decline, Anne noted that the contribution of PPE to total exports of textiles and textile products was very small. He said the growth of textile exports was determined by the performance of other product groups.

 “If there is a need outside, we can immediately fulfill the export. But once again, PPE is not a determinant of TPT export performance," he said.

With a value of US$40.58 million in January to September 2021, exports of PPE and its raw materials are indeed relatively small compared to the total exports of products in HS codes 56, 62, and 63 which reached US$3.19 billion. In the same period last year, exports of products under the HS code reached US$3.22 billion.

The export prospect of Indonesia's PPE products contrasts with the projected export of Chinese personal protective products which is expected to grow if the spread of the Omicron variant expands and triggers a spike in cases. This projection is in line with the continued increase in China's exports and imports in November 2021, according to a Bloomberg report.