Indonesia Nickel Matte HS7501 Export Data 2025 February Overview

Indonesia Nickel Matte (HS 7501) 2025 February Export: Key Takeaways

Indonesia’s Nickel Matte exports (HS Code 7501) in February 2025 reveal a market dominated by China, which accounted for 93% of volume but paid lower unit prices, signaling bulk purchases of commodity-grade material, while Japan’s smaller share reflected higher-value demand. Buyer concentration is high, with China acting as the primary processing hub, creating supply chain risks amid Indonesia’s potential quota reductions. This analysis, covering February 2025, is based on cleanly processed Customs data from the yTrade database.

Indonesia Nickel Matte (HS 7501) 2025 February Export Background

Indonesia's nickel matte exports (HS Code 7501)—covering nickel matte, oxide sinters, and smelting intermediates—are critical for stainless steel and EV battery production, driving steady global demand. In 2025, Indonesia slashed nickel mining quotas by 120 million tons [CarbonCredits] and introduced new smelter bans [Benchmark Minerals], tightening supply as it shifts toward higher-value exports. This positions Indonesia as a pivotal player in the nickel matte trade, balancing domestic industrialization with global market needs.

Indonesia Nickel Matte (HS 7501) 2025 February Export: Trend Summary

Key Observations

In February 2025, Indonesia's nickel matte exports saw a sharp decline, with volume dropping 27.3% month-over-month to 141.16 million kg, while the unit price fell slightly to $3.25 per kg from $3.36 in January.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The month-over-month decrease in both volume and price for Indonesia Nickel Matte Export under HS Code 7501 reflects typical supply adjustments in the nickel industry, where production cuts often lead to reduced export volumes before price stabilization. The volume plunge of over 27% indicates a significant supply contraction, likely due to domestic policy shifts prioritizing value-added processing over raw exports, which aligns with industry cycles aimed at managing stock levels and maximizing long-term revenue.

External Context and Outlook

This downturn is directly linked to Indonesia's implementation of a 120 million ton reduction in nickel mining quotas for 2025 [Carbon Credits], aimed at boosting domestic smelting and higher-value products. With further restrictions on new smelter permits (Benchmark Minerals), exports may remain subdued, supporting global price resilience as supply tightens.

Indonesia Nickel Matte (HS 7501) 2025 February Export: HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

In February 2025, Indonesia's export of HS Code 7501 is dominated by intermediate nickel products, specifically Nickel; oxide sinters and other intermediate products (HS 75012000), which account for 68.25% of the total export value. This sub-code has a lower unit price of 2.49 USD per kilogram, compared to nickel mattes at 9.47 USD per kilogram, indicating a strong specialization in bulk, lower-value intermediates for the Indonesia Nickel Matte Export 2025 February.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The export structure under HS Code 7501 consists of two clear categories based on value-add stage: intermediate products and nickel mattes. Intermediate products (HS 75012000) make up the bulk of exports by weight and value, functioning as fungible bulk commodities tied to raw material markets. Nickel mattes (HS 75011000), with their higher unit price, represent a more processed, higher-grade product, suggesting a move towards differentiated goods in Indonesia's nickel trade.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

Indonesia holds stronger pricing power for nickel mattes due to their higher value per unit, while intermediates face more competitive pricing. This aligns with Indonesia's policy to reduce raw ore exports and promote value-added production, as seen in recent quota cuts and smelter restrictions [Discovery Alert]. Market players should focus on investing in higher-grade processing to capture better margins in the evolving Indonesia Nickel Matte Export 2025 February landscape.

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Indonesia Nickel Matte (HS 7501) 2025 February Export: Market Concentration

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

In February 2025, Indonesia's Nickel Matte exports under HS Code 7501 were overwhelmingly dominated by China Mainland, which accounted for 93.46% of the weight but only 81.72% of the value, indicating bulk purchases at a lower unit price of approximately 2.84 USD/kg, typical for commodity-grade material. This disparity suggests China is the primary buyer for large-volume, cost-effective Nickel Matte, reinforcing its role as a key processing hub for raw materials.

Partner Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The export partners form two clear clusters: China as the massive bulk buyer, likely due to its extensive smelting infrastructure and high demand for intermediate nickel products; and Japan, with a smaller share but higher value ratio (17.97% value vs. 6.12% weight) and unit price around 9.53 USD/kg, possibly sourcing higher-purity Nickel Matte for specialized manufacturing. India's minimal presence (0.43% weight) reflects emerging but limited demand, perhaps for initial industrial applications.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

Given Indonesia's policy shifts towards reducing nickel mining quotas and promoting value-added exports, as noted in Carbon Credits, buyers should prioritize securing long-term supply agreements to mitigate potential shortages and price volatility. For China, maintaining stable bulk imports is crucial, while Japan may need to focus on quality assurance for high-end uses.

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Indonesia Nickel Matte (HS 7501) 2025 February Export: Buyer Cluster

Buyer Market Concentration and Dominance

In the Indonesia Nickel Matte Export for 2025 February, under HS Code 7501, the buyer market shows strong concentration, with one group of buyers dominating the trade. The high value and high frequency segment holds over 60% of the export value, making it the key driver. This indicates that the market relies heavily on regular, large purchases from a few major players. The four segments of buyers are defined by their purchase size and regularity, with the dominant group setting the tone for frequent, high-volume transactions in February 2025.

Strategic Buyer Clusters and Trade Role

The other buyer segments play specific roles. Large but infrequent buyers contribute significantly to value but buy less often, likely representing major refiners or stockpilers. Small but regular buyers make frequent purchases with lower value, possibly serving local or niche markets. Infrequent small buyers have minimal impact, perhaps indicating experimental or irregular demand. For a product like nickel matte, which is a semi-processed commodity, these patterns suggest a mix of stable bulk buyers and smaller, consistent users.

Sales Strategy and Vulnerability

For exporters in Indonesia, the focus should be on nurturing relationships with the dominant high-value, high-frequency buyers to ensure steady revenue. However, risks arise from policy changes, such as Indonesia's reduction in nickel mining quotas [Carbon Credits], which could tighten supply and affect sales. The high frequency of purchases points to a sales model built on recurring contracts, but diversifying into other segments might reduce vulnerability to shifts in demand or regulations. (Carbon Credits)

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Indonesia Nickel Matte (HS 7501) 2025 February Export: Action Plan for Nickel Matte Market Expansion

Strategic Supply Chain Overview

Indonesia's Nickel Matte Export 2025 February under HS Code 7501 reveals a market driven by two core factors. Price is primarily set by product grade and geopolitical policy shifts. High-grade nickel mattes command premium prices, while bulk intermediates face competitive pressure. Supply security is the critical implication. China's dominance as a bulk processing hub creates dependency, but Indonesia's own quota reductions add volatility. This structure emphasizes raw material control over finished goods.

Action Plan: Data-Driven Steps for Nickel Matte Market Execution

• Track HS Code 7501 export volumes monthly to anticipate China's demand cycles and adjust production schedules accordingly, preventing oversupply or shortages.
• Analyze buyer purchase frequency to identify stable high-value clients and negotiate long-term contracts, ensuring revenue stability amid policy changes.
• Monitor Indonesian mining quota announcements and adjust inventory levels preemptively, mitigating risks from sudden supply constraints.
• Use trade data to identify emerging buyers like India for market diversification, reducing over-reliance on a single dominant partner.
• Compare unit prices for nickel mattes versus intermediates to prioritize higher-margin product lines, aligning with Indonesia's value-added export strategy.

Take Action Now —— Explore Indonesia Nickel Matte Export Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Indonesia Nickel Matte Export 2025 February?

The sharp 27.3% month-over-month volume decline is primarily due to Indonesia's policy shift, including a 120 million ton reduction in nickel mining quotas, aimed at prioritizing domestic value-added processing over raw exports.

Q2. Who are the main partner countries in this Indonesia Nickel Matte Export 2025 February?

China dominates with 93.46% of export weight, followed by Japan (6.12% weight) and India (0.43% weight).

Q3. Why does the unit price differ across Indonesia Nickel Matte Export 2025 February partner countries?

Japan pays a higher unit price (~9.53 USD/kg) for higher-grade nickel matte, while China's bulk purchases of intermediate products average ~2.84 USD/kg.

Q4. What should exporters in Indonesia focus on in the current Nickel Matte export market?

Exporters should prioritize relationships with high-value, high-frequency buyers (60% of trade value) while diversifying to mitigate risks from policy-driven supply constraints.

Q5. What does this Indonesia Nickel Matte export pattern mean for buyers in partner countries?

China must secure long-term bulk supply agreements, while Japan should focus on quality assurance for specialized manufacturing needs.

Q6. How is Nickel Matte typically used in this trade flow?

Nickel matte serves as a semi-processed commodity, primarily for smelting into refined nickel or alloy production in downstream industries.

Q7. What is yTrade?

yTrade is a global trade data platform that provides SaaS and API access to provide accurate, structured, and searchable import-export trade data for international business decisions. It enables users to access verified shipment records, analyse buyer and supplier activity, review company trade overviews, assess compliance risks, and monitor real market demand — all from a single, scalable system.

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Q9. What features does yTrade offer?

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