A Reuters survey had projected a surplus of $3.79 billion, while the surplus for November was revised down to $4.37 billion.
This data release coincides with a meeting of Indonesia’s central bank to assess monetary policy, with an announcement expected later today.
In a separate Reuters survey, analysts predict that interest rates will remain unchanged amid financial market fluctuations that have put pressure on the rupiah.
In December, exports from the resource-rich nation increased by 4.78% year-on-year to $23.46 billion, which was below the anticipated 7.38% rise indicated in the trade poll.
Notably, palm oil product exports surged by 30% year-on-year to $1.89 billion last month, while coal exports experienced a decline of 10.4%, totaling $2.69 billion.
On the other hand, imports rose by 11.07% in December to $21.22 billion, surpassing the poll's forecast of a 4.84% increase.
For the entirety of 2024, Indonesia's total exports reached $264.7 billion, reflecting a 2.29% increase from the previous year, while imports amounted to $233.66 billion, marking a 5.31% rise compared to 2023.
The trade surplus for the previous year stood at $31.04 billion, a decrease from $36.89 billion in 2023, representing the lowest surplus in four years.
Indonesia's largest non-oil and gas trade surplus was with the United States, totaling $16.84 billion, while it recorded a trade deficit of $11.41 billion with China, excluding oil and gas transactions.