Indonesian Batik a Hot Commodity in the US, Exports Reach Tens of Millions of Dollars

According to data from the Indonesian Ministry of Industry's Center for Crafts and Batik (BBKB), in 2021 Indonesia exported batik worth US$35.45 million.

The United States (US) was the largest importer of Indonesian batik, with exports reaching US$24.7 million.

Following the US were the United Kingdom, Malaysia, Fiji, Thailand, Canada, Germany, Australia, Turkey, and Japan, with export values detailed in the graph.

UNESCO has designated Indonesian batik as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity since 2009.

Batik plays a significant role in Indonesian society. It is not only used as everyday clothing but also as attire for important events and rituals.

"Babies are carried in batik cloth adorned with symbols to bring good fortune to the child, and the deceased are shrouded in burial batik. Batik is commonly used in business and academic settings, and worn at weddings, pregnancy celebrations, and artistic performances," explains UNESCO on its official website.

Batik is also considered a cultural work that records the history of interaction between Nusantara society and other nations.

"The diversity of batik patterns reflects various influences, ranging from Arabic calligraphy, European floral arrangements, Chinese phoenix birds, Indian or Persian peacocks, to Japanese cherry blossoms," UNESCO states.