2025 Indonesia Stainless Steel (HS 7218) Export: Extreme Volatility

Key Takeaways

Stainless Steel, classified under HS Code 7218 (stainless steel), exhibited extreme volatility from January to September 2025.

• Market Pulse: Exports swung wildly, with monthly weight fluctuations ranging from 83.95 million kg (June) to 187.62 million kg (May), driven by global inventory adjustments and raw material price swings.
• Structural Shift: Indonesia Stainless Steel Export reliance on India (48.35% of value) creates high market risk, while China Mainland’s bulk purchases and Singapore’s small-lot demand reveal fragmented opportunities.
• Product Logic: HS Code 7218 trade data shows 83% of export value comes from semi-finished products ($1.60-$1.70/kg), signaling buyer preference for processed intermediates over raw ingots ($1.21/kg).

This overview covers the period from January to September 2025 and is based on verified customs data from the yTrade database.

Indonesia Stainless Steel (HS Code 7218) Key Metrics Trend

Market Trend Summary

The Indonesia Stainless Steel Export trend under HS Code 7218 from January to September 2025 displayed extreme volatility, with weight fluctuating wildly from a low of 83.95 million kg in June to a peak of 187.62 million kg in May. Exports surged 72.3% month-on-month in February, then dropped 55.3% in June, reflecting inconsistent demand patterns rather than a steady growth trajectory.

Drivers & Industry Context

This volatility aligns with global inventory adjustments and shifting demand from key markets like India, as no major policy changes affected HS Code 7218 in 2025 [ytrade.com]. The hs code 7218 value movements correlated closely with weight changes, driven by raw material price swings and supply chain disruptions, underscoring Indonesia's reliance on export cycles rather than regulatory shifts (ytrade).

Table: Indonesia Stainless Steel Export Trend (Source: yTrade)

Get Indonesia Stainless Steel Data Latest Updates

Indonesia HS Code 7218 Export Breakdown

Market Composition & Top Categories

The Indonesia HS Code 7218 Export market is dominated by semi-finished stainless steel products with rectangular cross-sections, which accounted for over 83% of the total export value throughout the first three quarters of 2025. According to yTrade data, this category was followed by other semi-finished shapes with a 16% value share, while primary forms like ingots made up less than 1% of exports, indicating a market heavily skewed towards intermediate goods.

Value Chain & Strategic Insights

Unit prices for semi-finished products averaged around $1.60-$1.70 per kilogram, significantly higher than the $1.21 per kilogram for raw ingots, reflecting a clear value-add in processing. This HS Code 7218 breakdown shows a specialized trade structure where pricing is driven by product form and grade rather than pure commodity sensitivity, suggesting buyers prioritize specific semi-finished specifications over bulk raw materials.

Table: Indonesia HS Code 7218) Export Breakdown Details (Source: yTrade)

Check Detailed HS Code 7218 Breakdown

Indonesia Stainless Steel Destination Countries

Geographic Concentration & Market Risk

Indonesia's Stainless Steel exports in the first three quarters of 2025 were overwhelmingly concentrated in a single market. India was the dominant partner, accounting for 48.35% of total export value. This high reliance on one destination creates significant market risk for Indonesian exporters, exposing them to any economic or trade policy shifts from this single buyer.

Purchasing Behavior & Demand Segmentation

India’s near-identical value and weight ratios indicate a balanced, quality-conscious market paying a premium for Indonesian Stainless Steel. In contrast, China Mainland’s massive quantity share (67.17%) but lower value share (13.10%) signals a separate, price-sensitive bulk market. The high shipment frequency to Singapore, paired with minimal value, reveals a third channel of fragmented, small-lot demand, likely for specific retail or JIT industrial needs.

Table: Indonesia Stainless Steel (HS Code 7218) Top Destination Countries (Source: yTrade)

Get Indonesia Stainless Steel (HS Code 7218) Complete Destination Countries Profile

Indonesia Stainless Steel Buyer Companies Analysis

Buyer Concentration & Market Structure

According to yTrade data, Indonesia Stainless Steel buyers are overwhelmingly dominated by high-volume repeat customers, who contributed 99.04% of the total export value throughout the first three quarters of 2025. This segment, characterized by frequent and large purchases, reflects a stable, contract-based supply chain typical for commodity metals like stainless steel. The market structure is heavily reliant on a few key accounts, such as VIRAJ PROFILES PRIVATE LIMITED, indicating concentrated buyer power.

Purchasing Behavior & Sales Strategy

The purchasing patterns for HS Code 7218 reveal that these key accounts operate on consistent, high-frequency orders, necessitating a sales strategy centered on strengthening long-term relationships and ensuring reliable delivery to maintain loyalty. Given the extreme value concentration, there is a notable risk of revenue impact if any major buyer shifts suppliers, so diversifying the client base while securing multi-year contracts could mitigate exposure. For new customer acquisition, targeting smaller, fragmented buyers through digital channels may capture incremental growth without destabilizing core accounts.

Table: Indonesia Stainless Steel (HS Code 7218) Top Buyers List (Source: yTrade)

Check Full Indonesia Stainless Steel Buyers list

Action Plan for Stainless Steel Market Operation and Expansion

• Diversify Buyer Base: Target smaller, fragmented buyers in Singapore and China Mainland to reduce dependence on India’s dominant 48.35% share.
• Lock In Contracts: Secure multi-year agreements with high-volume repeat buyers (99.04% of value) to stabilize revenue against monthly volatility.
• Optimize Logistics: Reduce costs for bulk shipments to China Mainland, where price sensitivity demands lean supply chains.
• Brand Premium Grades: Highlight the $1.60-$1.70/kg semi-finished products to justify value-add over cheaper ingots in negotiations.
• Monitor India Policy: Track trade regulations in India, as any shift could disrupt nearly half of Indonesia’s export flow.

Take Action Now —— Explore Indonesia Stainless Steel HS Code 7218 Export Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Indonesia Stainless Steel Export in 2025?

The extreme volatility in Indonesia's Stainless Steel exports is driven by global inventory adjustments and shifting demand from key markets like India, with weight fluctuating by over 100% between months.

Q2. Who are the main destination countries of Indonesia Stainless Steel (HS Code 7218) in 2025?

India dominates as the top destination, accounting for 48.35% of export value, followed by China Mainland (13.10%) and Singapore (minimal value but high shipment frequency).

Q3. Why does the unit price differ across destination countries of Indonesia Stainless Steel Export in 2025?

Price differences stem from product form and grade—India pays a premium for semi-finished stainless steel ($1.60-$1.70/kg), while China focuses on bulk raw materials ($1.21/kg).

Q4. What should exporters in Indonesia focus on in the current Stainless Steel export market?

Exporters should prioritize securing long-term contracts with high-volume repeat buyers (99.04% of export value) while diversifying to smaller buyers to mitigate reliance on India.

Q5. What does this Indonesia Stainless Steel export pattern mean for buyers in partner countries?

Buyers in India benefit from stable, quality-focused supply, while China’s bulk market gains cost efficiency. Singapore serves niche JIT demand, but all face volatility risks.

Q6. How is Stainless Steel typically used in this trade flow?

Semi-finished stainless steel (83% of exports) is primarily used as intermediate goods for further industrial processing, reflecting a specialized supply chain.