Indonesia continues to rely heavily on imported gasoline to meet domestic demand. Government data shows imports still dominate supply despite efforts to expand refining capacity. Consumption remains high, driven by transportation and subsidized fuel demand. Import sources are concentrated in nearby regional suppliers. The figures underscore structural dependence in Indonesia’s fuel supply chain.
Key Facts & Background
- The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources reported gasoline imports accounted for about 60.18% of national demand in 2025.
- Import dependence eased slightly to around 59% in early 2026, indicating limited improvement.
- National gasoline demand reached 100,986 kiloliters per day in 2025, with 76,932 KL/day for subsidized fuel and 24,055 KL/day for non-subsidized consumption.
- Major import sources were Singapore (≈63%) and Malaysia (≈33.14%), with smaller shares from China (≈1.32%) and Oman (≈1.05%).
- Total gasoline demand slightly declined to 99,661 KL/day in early 2026, but imports still dominated supply.
- In contrast, diesel imports were lower, around 12.17% of demand in 2025, declining to 6.26% in early 2026, showing differing dependency levels across fuel types.
Note: Multi-source AI data analytics, with the possibility of inaccuracies.
Insights
The 60% import share highlights a structural gap between domestic refining capacity and fuel consumption. Indonesia’s high gasoline demand—largely driven by road transportation and subsidized fuel use—outpaces refinery output, forcing reliance on imported finished products. Concentration of supply from neighboring countries suggests logistical efficiency but also exposes Indonesia to regional supply disruptions and pricing volatility. The contrast with lower diesel import dependence indicates that refinery configuration, not just demand, shapes import reliance.
However, the headline figure does not fully capture broader energy security dynamics. Import dependence may fluctuate with refinery maintenance cycles, fuel demand shifts, and blending policies such as biofuel mandates. The slight decline to around 59% in early 2026 suggests gradual improvement but not structural change. Long-term reduction in gasoline imports will depend on refinery upgrades, demand management, and electrification of transport. The implication is that Indonesia’s fuel import dependence remains manageable but structurally persistent, with implications for trade balance, subsidy policy, and energy resilience.