2025 Indonesia Copper Cathodes (HS 740311) Export: Surge & Collapse

Key Takeaways

Copper Cathodes, classified under HS Code 740311 (Copper; cathodes and cathode sections), exhibited a surge-and-collapse cycle from January to October 2025.

• Market Pulse: Shipment volumes peaked in June (23.72M kg) before plummeting 57% by September, with a partial recovery in October. Unit prices held steady between $9.11/kg and $10.52/kg.
• Structural Shift: Indonesia Copper Cathodes Export revenue hinges on three buyers—Malaysia (34.28%), Vietnam (20.81%), and China (18.90%)—creating acute concentration risk.
• Product Logic: HS Code 740311 trade data shows 93% of exports are standard refined copper cathodes, with minor premium variants commanding slight price premiums (up to $10.52/kg).

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

Indonesia Copper Cathodes (HS Code 740311) Key Metrics Trend

Market Trend Summary

The Indonesia Copper Cathodes Export trend from January to October 2025 exhibited a pronounced surge and contraction cycle. Exports climbed steadily through the first seven months, with weight rising from 19.28M kg in January to a peak of 23.72M kg in June, supported by firming unit prices. This uptrend reversed abruptly in August, with shipment volumes collapsing by 39.6% month-on-month, followed by a further 57.0% drop in September, before a partial recovery in October.

Drivers & Industry Context

The sharp August-September contraction in export volumes likely reflects a combination of seasonal maintenance cycles at smelters and potential destocking ahead of quarter-end. The partial October rebound suggests some operational normalization or renewed buying interest, though volumes remained well below first-half averages. The overall value derived from HS Code 740311 was heavily influenced by these volume swings, as unit prices showed relative stability, fluctuating within a narrow band between $9.11/kg and $10.52/kg throughout the period.

Table: Indonesia Copper Cathodes Export Trend (Source: yTrade)

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Indonesia HS Code 740311 Export Breakdown

Market Composition & Top Categories

The dominant sub-category for Indonesia HS Code 740311 Export, accounting for over 93% of shipments and nearly 95% of the export value, is refined copper cathodes. According to yTrade data from January to October 2025, this category represented the bulk of trade, with minor variants making up the remainder. The remaining exports consist of a higher-priced variant, but they hold only a small share of the market.

Value Chain & Strategic Insights

The unit price spread, from 9.45 to 10.52 USD per kilogram, indicates some quality or grade differentiation within copper cathodes. This HS Code 740311 breakdown shows a commodity-driven market with slight price sensitivity to specialization. The trade structure remains dominated by standard grades, but the premium for certain variants suggests niche demand for higher purity.

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Indonesia Copper Cathodes Destination Countries

Geographic Concentration & Market Risk

Indonesia's Copper Cathodes exports from January to October 2025 show extreme concentration in a single partner. Malaysia dominates with a 34.28% share of total export value, creating significant market risk from reliance on one buyer. The next largest partners, Vietnam and China, hold 20.81% and 18.90% respectively, but cannot offset Malaysia's outsized role. This narrow buyer base makes Indonesia's export revenue vulnerable to demand shifts from these key trade partners for Copper Cathodes.

Purchasing Behavior & Demand Segmentation

Malaysia's nearly identical value (34.28%) and weight ratios (34.52%) indicate balanced, commodity-grade purchasing at consistent USD/kg prices. Vietnam and China show classic bulk processing patterns, with weight ratios exceeding value shares, prioritizing volume over premium specifications. Thailand's high frequency ratio (23.44%) against moderate value share reveals fragmented, smaller-lot buying likely for immediate industrial use. This mix points to a market driven by volume scale rather than margin potential, with demand split between bulk industrial consumers and just-in-time fabricators.

Table: Indonesia Copper Cathodes (HS Code 740311) Top Destination Countries (Source: yTrade)

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Indonesia Copper Cathodes Buyer Companies Analysis

Buyer Concentration & Market Structure

According to yTrade data, the Indonesia Copper Cathodes buyers market is overwhelmingly dominated by a small group of high-volume, repeat customers. These key accounts represent 98.78% of the total export value and 94.01% of all transactions from January to October 2025, indicating a stable, contract-based supply chain. This structure leaves almost no room for project-based bulk buyers or spot-market traders, creating a highly concentrated market.

Purchasing Behavior & Sales Strategy

The dominance of these high-volume repeaters means sales strategy must focus on deep relationship management and supply chain reliability to retain these crucial accounts. Given the extreme concentration risk—where losing even one major buyer could significantly impact revenue—sellers should prioritize contract security and operational consistency. Exploring opportunities to attract smaller, secondary buyers could provide valuable diversification against over-reliance on a few large partners.

Table: Indonesia Copper Cathodes (HS Code 740311) Top Buyers List (Source: yTrade)

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Action Plan for Copper Cathodes Market Operation and Expansion

• Diversify buyer base: Reduce reliance on Malaysia by targeting secondary markets like Thailand, where fragmented demand offers entry points for smaller-lot sales.
• Lock in contracts: Secure long-term agreements with top buyers (Malaysia, Vietnam, China) to stabilize revenue against volume swings seen in Q3 2025.
• Optimize logistics: Focus on bulk shipping efficiencies for Vietnam and China, where weight ratios exceed value shares, to protect margins.
• Monitor smelter cycles: Align inventory builds with seasonal maintenance periods (August-September) to avoid shipment gaps.
• Test premium niches: Allocate 5-10% of production to higher-grade cathodes, leveraging the $9.45–$10.52/kg price spread for incremental gains.

Take Action Now —— Explore Indonesia Copper Cathodes HS Code 740311 Export Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Indonesia Copper Cathodes Export in 2025?

The 2025 export trend saw a sharp rise in volumes peaking in June, followed by a 39.6% drop in August and 57.0% in September, likely due to seasonal smelter maintenance and destocking. Unit prices remained stable between $9.11/kg and $10.52/kg, making volume swings the primary driver of value fluctuations.

Q2. Who are the main destination countries of Indonesia Copper Cathodes (HS Code 740311) in 2025?

Malaysia dominated with 34.28% of export value, followed by Vietnam (20.81%) and China (18.90%). These three markets accounted for nearly 74% of Indonesia’s total Copper Cathodes exports.

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

The price spread (9.45–10.52 USD/kg) reflects grade differentiation, with Malaysia paying consistent commodity-grade rates while Vietnam and China prioritize bulk volume over premium specifications.

Q4. What should exporters in Indonesia focus on in the current Copper Cathodes export market?

Exporters must prioritize contract security with high-volume repeat buyers (98.78% of export value) while diversifying into smaller markets like Thailand to mitigate over-reliance on Malaysia.

Q5. What does this Indonesia Copper Cathodes export pattern mean for buyers in partner countries?

Buyers in Malaysia benefit from stable commodity-grade supply, while Vietnam and China leverage bulk discounts. Thailand’s fragmented, small-lot purchases suit just-in-time industrial needs.

Q6. How is Copper Cathodes typically used in this trade flow?

Refined copper cathodes (93% of shipments) are primarily used in electrical wiring, industrial machinery, and infrastructure projects, with niche demand for higher-purity variants.

Detailed Monthly and Quarterly Report

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