Indonesia Aluminium Oxide HS281820 Export Data 2025 August Overview

Indonesia Aluminium Oxide (HS 281820) 2025 August Export: Key Takeaways

Indonesia’s Aluminium oxide (HS Code 281820) exports in August 2025 reveal a market dominated by Australia, which accounts for 30.73% of value and 35.50% of weight, signaling high buyer concentration and bulk, low-value shipments at $0.39 per kg. China Mainland stands out with premium-grade imports priced at $20.34 per kg, indicating a niche for high-purity demand. The data, sourced from the yTrade database, highlights Indonesia’s reliance on raw material exports amid tightening regulations like Permendag 8/2025, urging exporters to diversify toward premium markets.

Indonesia Aluminium Oxide (HS 281820) 2025 August Export Background

Indonesia’s aluminium oxide (HS Code 281820), used in ceramics, abrasives, and metal refining, drives global industrial demand. Recent updates under Permendag 8/2025 tighten export rules to boost local processing, reshaping trade flows [Permitindo]. As the world’s third-largest exporter ($1.22B in 2023), Indonesia’s August 2025 shipments remain critical for buyers despite policy shifts [OEC].

Indonesia Aluminium Oxide (HS 281820) 2025 August Export: Trend Summary

Key Observations

Indonesia's aluminium oxide exports under HS Code 281820 in August 2025 totaled 88.50 million USD in value and 198.34 million kg in volume, marking a partial rebound from July's slump but staying below the robust levels seen earlier in the year.

Price and Volume Dynamics

Month-over-month, exports rose from July to August, with value increasing by 10.7% and volume by 9.0%, indicating a short-term recovery. However, quarter-over-quarter, the Q3 average (July-August) fell by about 23% compared to Q2, reflecting a broader downtrend. Year-over-year, August's value is roughly 13% below the 2023 monthly average of 101.67 million USD, pointing to sustained pressure. In the aluminium oxide sector, which feeds into aluminium production and lacks strong seasonality, this volatility is more aligned with policy-driven disruptions than typical industrial cycles, suggesting regulatory impacts are overriding normal demand patterns.

External Context and Outlook

This export softness ties directly to Indonesia's push for domestic mineral processing under Permendag 8/2025, enacted in March 2025 to restrict raw material exports and boost local value addition [Permitindo]. As a result, the Indonesia Aluminium oxide HS Code 281820 Export 2025 August performance likely signals a new norm of constrained outflows, with future trends hinging on compliance with these rules and shifts in global aluminium demand.

Indonesia Aluminium Oxide (HS 281820) 2025 August Export: HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

In August 2025, Indonesia's export of Aluminium oxide under HS Code 281820 is completely concentrated in a single sub-code, HS Code 28182000, which covers "Aluminium oxide; other than artificial corundum". This sub-code represents the entire export volume with a low unit price of 0.45 USD per kilogram, confirming its role as a bulk commodity without significant product variation.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The absence of other sub-codes indicates a homogeneous product structure, where Aluminium oxide is traded primarily in a raw or basic processed form. This uniformity suggests a fungible bulk commodity market, where goods are standardized and priced based on weight and global indices, rather than differentiated by quality grades or value-added stages.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

As a bulk commodity, Indonesia's Aluminium oxide exports face limited pricing power, with prices influenced by international market conditions. Recent regulatory changes, such as Indonesia's Permendag 8/2025 aimed at promoting domestic mineral processing [Permitindo], may lead to future export restrictions or shifts, requiring exporters to focus on compliance and potential diversification into higher-value products.

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Indonesia Aluminium Oxide (HS 281820) 2025 August Export: Market Concentration

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

In August 2025, Indonesia's export of Aluminium oxide HS Code 281820 is heavily concentrated, with Australia as the dominant importer, accounting for 30.73% of value and 35.50% of weight. The slight disparity where value ratio is lower than weight ratio suggests a standard commodity grade with competitive pricing around $0.39 per kg, indicating bulk, low-value shipments typical for raw materials.

Partner Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The importers form three clear clusters: first, Australia, Iceland, India, and Malaysia import large volumes at similar low unit prices, likely for industrial refining or smelting due to their mining sectors. Second, China Mainland stands out with a high unit price of about $20.34 per kg despite low weight share, pointing to specialized, high-purity alumina for advanced manufacturing. Third, Japan, South Korea, and others have minimal shares, possibly for niche or trial purposes in their tech industries.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

For Indonesia, maintaining stable supply to bulk buyers like Australia is key, but recent regulations such as Permendag 8/2025 [Permitindo] may push for domestic processing, risking export volumes. Exporters should secure licenses and explore premium markets like China to offset potential restrictions, ensuring compliance with evolving policies (Permitindo).

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Indonesia Aluminium Oxide (HS 281820) 2025 August Export: Action Plan for Aluminium Oxide Market Expansion

Strategic Supply Chain Overview

Indonesia Aluminium oxide Export 2025 August under HS Code 281820 operates as a bulk commodity market. Price is driven by global indices and bulk buyer demand, not product differentiation. Supply chain depends heavily on a few large buyers and raw material exports. Recent regulations like Permendag 8/2025 may restrict exports, pushing for domestic processing. This creates vulnerability to policy shifts and price volatility.

Action Plan: Data-Driven Steps for Aluminium oxide Market Execution

• Secure long-term contracts with dominant bulk buyers to stabilize revenue and align with their high-frequency purchasing patterns, reducing exposure to spot market fluctuations.
• Target premium markets like China with specialized, high-purity alumina grades to capture higher unit prices and diversify away from bulk-dependent income streams.
• Monitor regulatory updates such as Permendag 8/2025 closely and obtain all required export licenses promptly to avoid disruptions and ensure compliance with new processing rules.
• Diversify the buyer portfolio by analyzing trade data to identify and engage occasional high-value buyers, mitigating over-reliance on a single customer segment.
• Invest in basic quality testing and certification for consistency, enabling trust with bulk buyers and potential entry into slightly higher-value market niches without major capital outlay.

Take Action Now —— Explore Indonesia Aluminium oxide Export Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Indonesia Aluminium oxide Export 2025 August?

The export rebound in August follows a broader downtrend, with regulatory changes like Permendag 8/2025 restricting raw material exports to promote domestic processing. This policy shift is overriding typical demand patterns, leading to constrained outflows.

Q2. Who are the main partner countries in this Indonesia Aluminium oxide Export 2025 August?

Australia dominates with 30.73% of export value, followed by Iceland, India, and Malaysia as bulk buyers. China Mainland imports high-purity alumina at a premium price ($20.34/kg) despite a smaller volume share.

Q3. Why does the unit price differ across Indonesia Aluminium oxide Export 2025 August partner countries?

Price differences stem from product homogeneity—most shipments are bulk-grade (HS Code 28182000 at $0.45/kg), while China’s high unit price reflects specialized, high-purity alumina for advanced manufacturing.

Q4. What should exporters in Indonesia focus on in the current Aluminium oxide export market?

Exporters must secure long-term contracts with dominant bulk buyers (85.10% of value) while exploring premium markets like China to offset regulatory risks and comply with processing mandates.

Q5. What does this Indonesia Aluminium oxide export pattern mean for buyers in partner countries?

Bulk buyers (e.g., Australia) benefit from stable, low-cost supply, but may face volatility from export restrictions. High-value buyers (e.g., China) can access specialized grades but must monitor policy shifts.

Q6. How is Aluminium oxide typically used in this trade flow?

It is primarily traded as a raw material (bulk commodity) for industrial refining or smelting, with minor high-purity shipments for advanced manufacturing like electronics or ceramics.