Indonesia Lignite Coal HS270210 Export Data 2025 January Overview

Indonesia Lignite Coal (HS 270210) 2025 January Export: Key Takeaways

Indonesia’s Lignite Coal exports (HS Code 270210) in January 2025 reveal extreme buyer concentration, with China dominating 97.5% of trade volume and value, confirming its role as a low-grade bulk commodity. The market shows no pricing premiums, reinforcing raw material dynamics, while minor shipments to South Korea, Romania, and Singapore suggest niche demand. Exporters must adapt to Indonesia’s new raw coal restrictions, prioritizing exemptions or local processing to maintain access. This analysis covers January 2025 and is based on cleanly processed Customs data from the yTrade database.

Indonesia Lignite Coal (HS 270210) 2025 January Export Background

Indonesia’s Lignite Coal (HS Code 270210) is a key energy resource, defined as lignite—whether pulverized but not agglomerated—used in power generation and industrial heating due to its cost efficiency. Global demand remains steady as emerging economies rely on affordable fuel sources. However, Indonesia’s export landscape shifted in January 2025 under Permendag No. 8/2025 and 9/2025, restricting raw mineral exports to boost domestic processing [Permitindo]. As a top lignite producer, Indonesia’s export policies now prioritize local value addition, impacting global supply chains.

Indonesia Lignite Coal (HS 270210) 2025 January Export: Trend Summary

Key Observations

Indonesia Lignite Coal HS Code 270210 Export for 2025 January recorded a value of $499.24 million against a volume of 10.83 billion kg, reflecting a sharp contraction as new regulatory restrictions took effect.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The significant drop in both value and volume is directly attributable to the implementation of Ministry of Trade Regulations No. 8 and 9 of 2025, which restricted most raw mineral exports—including coal—effective January 1, 2025 [Permitindo]. These rules prioritize domestic downstream processing and limit exports to specific exemptions like research or re-export (ARMA Law), drastically curbing shipment volumes compared to previous periods.

External Context and Outlook

The restrictive policy environment is expected to persist, reinforcing volatility in near-term export figures. However, long-term market stability may improve if Indonesia’s focus on value-added processing attracts investment in coal beneficiation or derivative products, aligning with both domestic industrial goals and international sustainability demands.

Indonesia Lignite Coal (HS 270210) 2025 January Export: HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

In January 2025, Indonesia's export of Lignite Coal under HS Code 270210 is entirely specialized in a single product: Lignite that is not agglomerated, with a unit price of USD 0.05 per kilogram. This low price confirms it as a raw, bulk commodity with no significant value-added processing, and the 100% share in both value and weight indicates no export variation or anomalies during this period.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

With only one sub-code present, the export structure lacks any differentiation in value-add stages or grades. This uniformity classifies Indonesia's Lignite Coal as a fungible bulk commodity, traded primarily based on weight and standard specifications rather than quality variations or processed forms, typical of raw mineral exports.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

The concentrated, low-value nature of this export, combined with Indonesia's new export restrictions under Permendag No. 8 and 9 of 2025 [Permitindo], limits pricing power for exporters. These policies aim to promote domestic processing, so players must prioritize compliance and explore domestic value addition to mitigate reduced export opportunities. (Permitindo)

Check Detailed HS 270210 Breakdown

Indonesia Lignite Coal (HS 270210) 2025 January Export: Market Concentration

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

In January 2025, Indonesia's Lignite Coal exports under HS Code 270210 show extreme concentration, with CHINA MAINLAND accounting for 97.55% of the weight and 97.58% of the value, indicating a bulk commodity trade with consistent, low-value pricing typical for raw materials like lignite coal. The nearly equal ratios suggest no significant premium or discount, reinforcing its role as a low-grade energy source.

Partner Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The trade partners divide into two clusters: China as the overwhelming primary market due to its massive energy needs, and a minor cluster of South Korea, Romania, and Singapore, each with less than 2% share, likely serving niche industrial demand or acting as re-export points. The Philippines' negligible presence hints at very limited or trial shipments in this period.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

Exporters must adapt to Indonesia's new regulations, such as Permendag No. 8 and 9 of 2025 [Permitindo], which restrict raw coal exports to promote domestic processing. Focus on securing exemptions for research or re-export, and consider investing in local upgrading to maintain market access amid tighter controls.

Get Complete Partner Countries Profile

Indonesia Lignite Coal (HS 270210) 2025 January Export: Action Plan for Lignite Coal Market Expansion

Strategic Supply Chain Overview

Indonesia Lignite Coal Export 2025 January under HS Code 270210 operates as a bulk commodity trade. Price drivers are volume-based demand from China and global coal index benchmarks, not product quality or processing. Supply chain implications focus on raw material security and reliance on a single market. New Indonesian regulations now restrict such exports to promote domestic value addition, increasing compliance risks and shifting focus to local processing hubs.

Action Plan: Data-Driven Steps for Lignite Coal Market Execution

• Secure long-term contracts with high-frequency Chinese buyers using volume commitment discounts to ensure stable revenue despite regulatory changes.
• Invest in domestic coal upgrading facilities to add value and comply with Permendag No. 8/2025, reducing dependency on raw export restrictions.
• Diversify export destinations by targeting niche buyers in South Korea and Romania with tailored small shipments to minimize market concentration risk.
• Monitor real-time customs data for policy updates and buyer behavior shifts to quickly adapt pricing and logistics strategies.
• Develop a re-export partnership with Singapore-based traders to leverage their hub status for reaching secondary markets under permitted categories.

Take Action Now —— Explore Indonesia Lignite Coal Export Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Indonesia Lignite Coal Export 2025 January?

The sharp contraction in value and volume is due to Indonesia's new export restrictions (Permendag No. 8 and 9 of 2025), which prioritize domestic processing and limit raw coal shipments.

Q2. Who are the main partner countries in this Indonesia Lignite Coal Export 2025 January?

China dominates with 97.55% of the weight and 97.58% of the value, while South Korea, Romania, and Singapore each account for less than 2%.

Q3. Why does the unit price differ across Indonesia Lignite Coal Export 2025 January partner countries?

The uniform unit price (USD 0.05/kg) reflects the export of a single raw, unprocessed product (non-agglomerated lignite), leaving no room for price differentiation.

Q4. What should exporters in Indonesia focus on in the current Lignite Coal export market?

Exporters must prioritize compliance with new regulations, secure exemptions for research/re-exports, and explore domestic value addition to mitigate reliance on bulk buyers.

Q5. What does this Indonesia Lignite Coal export pattern mean for buyers in partner countries?

Buyers face supply volatility due to Indonesia’s export restrictions but can expect stable pricing for raw lignite, given its fungible, low-grade nature.

Q6. How is Lignite Coal typically used in this trade flow?

It serves as a low-grade energy source for bulk industrial or power generation needs, traded primarily as a raw, unprocessed commodity.