Although Indonesia is a participant in the global tombstone trade and exports its own stone products in large quantities to the US and Japan, it still imports tombstones from abroad, with China being the main supplier. Data from the Central Statistics Agency shows that the import value of tombstones (HS code 68029900) first declined then rose in recent years: US$1.93 million in 2019, rising to US$2.35 million in 2020, then declining continuously from 2021 to 2022, bottoming out at US$948,000 in 2022.
In 2024, it rebounded to US$1.59 million (approximately IDR 263.2 billion), with imports from China reaching US$747,000, followed by Hong Kong (US$582,000), India, and Brazil. China's tombstone industry is large-scale, highly efficient, and low-cost, making its products competitive in price. Although Indonesia has a strong domestic tombstone industry, mostly using granite, marble, and sandstone with patterns and designs that align with local cultural customs, some consumers prefer imported tombstones.
Chinese tombstones often use Nero granite, which is dense, weather-resistant, and durable, and their designs frequently feature strong artistic details and symbolic meanings, reflecting traditional Chinese aesthetics, appealing to a specific consumer base.
Furthermore, thanks to its large-scale industry and efficient supply chain, China can offer lower prices for comparable products, making imports an economical choice for importers and local artisans. This shows that Indonesia's import of tombstones is not due to a weak domestic industry, but rather market segmentation and differences in consumer demand. As long as there are needs that local products cannot fully satisfy, imports will continue to exist in the Indonesian market.
Although Indonesia is a participant in the global tombstone trade and exports its own stone products in large quantities to the US and Japan, it still imports tombstones from abroad, with China being the main supplier. Data from the Central Statistics Agency shows that the import value of tombstones (HS code 68029900) first declined then rose in recent years: US$1.93 million in 2019, rising to US$2.35 million in 2020, then declining continuously from 2021 to 2022, bottoming out at US$948,000 in 2022.
In 2024, it rebounded to US$1.59 million (approximately IDR 263.2 billion), with imports from China reaching US$747,000, followed by Hong Kong (US$582,000), India, and Brazil. China's tombstone industry is large-scale, highly efficient, and low-cost, making its products competitive in price. Although Indonesia has a strong domestic tombstone industry, mostly using granite, marble, and sandstone with patterns and designs that align with local cultural customs, some consumers prefer imported tombstones.
Chinese tombstones often use Nero granite, which is dense, weather-resistant, and durable, and their designs frequently feature strong artistic details and symbolic meanings, reflecting traditional Chinese aesthetics, appealing to a specific consumer base.
Furthermore, thanks to its large-scale industry and efficient supply chain, China can offer lower prices for comparable products, making imports an economical choice for importers and local artisans. This shows that Indonesia's import of tombstones is not due to a weak domestic industry, but rather market segmentation and differences in consumer demand. As long as there are needs that local products cannot fully satisfy, imports will continue to exist in the Indonesian market.