Batam residents and regional buyers kept buying even as gold jumped Rp30,000 per gram — lifting Antam bullion to Rp2,766,000/g on January 12, 2026. The move tightened local supply and reinforced gold’s role as a currency hedge and short-term arbitrage play for Singapore and Indonesian investors.

  • Price: Antam bullion Rp2,766,000 per gram (Jan 12, 2026)
  • Carat/Purity: 24K (999), 916, 750, 700 (marketed weights)
  • Origin: Batam, Riau Islands, Indonesia (traders cite Antam preference)
  • Date: 12 January 2026

Global market drives local prices

The Rp30,000-per-gram increase recorded Monday tracks wider bullion gains in global markets. Traders in Mega Mall Batam Centre and other outlets said the rise applied across bullion, certified ingots, raw material and jewelry, with Antam bars taking centre stage because of their relatively narrow premium and predictable resale value. The rationale: dense, substantial heft that buyers can price and re-sell with minimal friction.

Demand held firm — foot traffic and urgency

Footfall at Banda Baru Gold Shop and nearby dealers remained steady. Staff reported roughly 30% higher buyer volumes than a typical period, driven not by adornment but by investment intent. For many patrons the spike acted as a trigger: a visible sign that prices may continue upward, prompting immediate purchase rather than waiting for a correction.

Preference for investment-grade bullion

Buyers favoured Antam bars and certified bullion over ornamental pieces. Traders cited lower premium spreads and a firmer secondary market for branded ingots. The shift is tactile as well as financial — customers are choosing pieces with measurable weight and compact volume, favouring the buttery, metallic heft of bars over the variable value of mixed karat jewelry.

Context: 2025 trends shaping buyer behaviour

Two broader forces from 2025 help explain the pattern. First, sustainability and traceability emerged as purchase drivers: recycled and certified bullion carries pricing and reputational advantages for both consumers and jewellers. Second, the rise of lab-grown stones and softer premiums in the gemstone market nudged investors back toward metals with clearer intrinsic value, reinforcing demand for investment-grade gold rather than decorative inventory.

Why this matters to US retailers and investors

For US buyers, wholesalers and retailers, Batam’s activity is a regional price signal. Antam’s narrower premium and consistent resale make it a useful benchmark for cross-border arbitrage between Singapore and Indonesian markets. Retailers sourcing inventory should watch local premium spreads and logistics costs: a sustained regional uptick can compress margins on decorative lines while creating opportunities to buy bullion for inventory hedging or customer buy-back programs.

Investors should note two practical implications: exchange-rate sensitivity (Rp/SGD and Rp/USD swings materially affect landed cost) and liquidity preference — Antam bars offer faster turnover in Southeast Asian secondary markets than mixed-karat jewelry. For those seeking a short-term hedge against currency depreciation or inflation, the Batam buying pattern signals continued appetite and limited immediate downside risk.

Source: Batampos (2026). Price checks by local dealers; reported market figures current as of January 12, 2026.

Image Referance: https://batamnewsasia.com/2026/01/13/gold-prices-in-batam-sharp-rise-fails-to-dampen-strong-buying-interest/