Indonesia's exports of personal protective equipment (PPE) have decreased in the second year of the pandemic reveals Central Statistics Agency (BPS) data. Increased awareness about the spread of Covid cases due to the Omicron variant is not expected to have any effect. Exports of personal protective equipment are likely to decline in 2021 compared to 2020. Exports of meltbown cloth, surgical masks, N95 respirator masks, medical protective clothing, and surgical gowns that fall into the PPE category and their raw materials decreased from January to September 2021.

Although Indonesia’s PPE exports showed a decline, the contribution of PPE to the country’s total exports of textiles and textile products is very small. Export prospect of Indonesia's PPE products contrasts 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.

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