Indonesia Nickel Matte HS7501 Export Data 2025 July Overview

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

Indonesia’s nickel matte exports under HS Code 7501 in July 2025 were overwhelmingly dominated by China, accounting for 94% of volume but just 84% of value, reflecting its role as a bulk commodity with low unit prices. Japan emerged as a niche buyer, paying higher prices for specialized grades, signaling divergent demand patterns. With China’s smelting capacity driving bulk flows, market players must adapt to Indonesia’s shift toward value-added exports and potential supply constraints. This analysis, covering July 2025, is based on cleanly processed customs data from the yTrade database.

Indonesia Nickel Matte (HS 7501) 2025 July Export Background

Indonesia’s nickel matte exports (HS Code 7501: nickel matte, oxide sinters, and smelting intermediates) are critical for stainless steel and EV battery production, driving steady global demand. As of mid-2025, the country slashed its nickel ore production quota by 44% to prioritize higher-value processed exports like nickel matte [Carboncredits]. This shift reinforces Indonesia’s dominance in nickel trade, with July 2025 exports poised to reflect its strategic push toward downstream processing under new regulations [Benchmark Minerals].

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

Key Observations

In July 2025, Indonesia's Nickel Matte Export (HS Code 7501) experienced a sharp price surge, with unit prices jumping to 3.63 USD/kg, a 14.9% increase from June, driven by supply-side constraints amid policy changes.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The month-over-month comparison shows unit prices rising from 3.16 USD/kg in June to 3.63 USD/kg in July, while volume increased slightly to 187.14 million units from 175.30 million. This price spike reflects typical nickel market volatility, where supply disruptions from production cuts quickly elevate prices despite stable industrial demand. The value climbed to 680.08 million USD, indicating heightened market tension ahead of further policy implementations.

External Context and Outlook

Indonesia's government slashed nickel mining quotas by 120 million tons for 2025 [Carbon Credits], tightening supply and fueling July's price rise. With ongoing export restrictions aimed at boosting domestic processing (Carbon Credits), prices are likely to stay elevated, though volume may fluctuate as smelters adapt to new regulations.

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

Product Specialization and Concentration

In July 2025, Indonesia's export of HS Code 7501 is heavily concentrated in nickel oxide sinters and other intermediate products, which dominate with 87% of the weight and 65% of the value. This product has a unit price of 2.71 USD per kilogram, significantly lower than nickel mattes at 9.70 USD per kilogram, indicating a focus on bulk, semi-processed goods rather than higher-value forms.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The export structure under HS Code 7501 consists of two main categories: nickel mattes, which are less processed and command a higher price, and nickel oxide sinters, which are intermediate products with lower value. This split suggests a trade in fungible bulk commodities, where products are graded by processing stage rather than being highly differentiated manufactured goods.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

Indonesia's strategy appears aimed at moving up the value chain, as policies like the ban on new smelter permits for nickel matte [Benchmark Minerals] encourage higher-value exports. This could enhance pricing power for premium products like nickel mattes, while the bulk intermediates remain volume-driven. For market players, focusing on quality upgrades aligns with Indonesia's shift towards value-added growth in the nickel sector.

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

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

In July 2025, Indonesia's nickel matte exports under HS Code 7501 were overwhelmingly dominated by China Mainland, which accounted for 94.02% of the weight but only 83.79% of the value. This disparity, where the value ratio is lower than the weight ratio, indicates that nickel matte is a bulk commodity with a relatively low unit price, estimated at approximately $3.24 per kg for exports to China. China's role as the primary destination highlights its position as a major processor of raw nickel materials, driving Indonesia's export flows for this period.

Partner Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The export patterns reveal two main clusters: China, with high volume and frequency, and Japan, with lower volume but higher value per unit. China's cluster, with 91.15% frequency and 94.02% weight share, stems from its massive smelting and refining capacity, which demands large quantities of raw nickel matte for industrial production. Japan's cluster, with 8.85% frequency and 16.21% value share despite only 5.98% weight, suggests imports of higher-grade or more specialized nickel products, likely for advanced manufacturing like electronics or batteries, reflecting Japan's focus on quality over quantity.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

For market players, Indonesia's move to reduce nickel mining quotas and shift towards value-added exports, as reported by Discovery Alert, means exporters should prioritize developing more processed nickel products to capture higher margins. Importers, especially in China, need to secure long-term supply agreements to mitigate risks from potential shortages due to Indonesia's policy changes. This shift could lead to tighter global supply and increased competition for raw materials, urging companies to diversify sources or invest in recycling technologies.

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

Strategic Supply Chain Overview

Indonesia Nickel Matte Export 2025 July under HS Code 7501 operates as a bulk commodity trade. Price is driven by product grade and Indonesia's policy shifts toward value-added exports. High-volume buyers in China create steady demand but limit pricing power for lower-grade sinters. The supply chain implication is heavy reliance on China as a processing hub, creating vulnerability to policy changes or demand shifts.

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

• Use HS Code 7501 shipment data to track product mix shifts monthly. This identifies opportunities to export higher-value mattes as Indonesia restricts raw material quotas.
• Analyze buyer frequency and volume to segment clients into priority tiers. Focus sales efforts on dominant high-volume buyers to secure stable revenue streams.
• Monitor China’s import patterns for early signs of demand change. This allows quick adjustment to production or logistics to avoid oversupply risks.
• Engage smaller, frequent buyers with tailored supply agreements. Diversify your buyer base to reduce dependency on a few large clients.
• Leverage trade data to negotiate long-term contracts with key partners. Lock in supply security and mitigate price volatility from Indonesia’s export policy changes.

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 July?

The price surge to 3.63 USD/kg (up 14.9% from June) is driven by Indonesia's nickel mining quota cuts and supply-side constraints, reflecting policy shifts toward value-added exports.

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

China dominates with 94.02% of the weight and 83.79% of the value, followed by Japan, which accounts for 5.98% of weight but 16.21% of value.

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

Japan pays higher unit prices for specialized nickel matte (likely higher-grade), while China’s bulk purchases of semi-processed products like nickel oxide sinters drive lower average prices.

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

Exporters should prioritize relationships with high-volume buyers (85.12% of value) like PT. HUAFEI NICKEL COBALT while diversifying to smaller, frequent buyers to mitigate reliance on China.

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

Chinese buyers face bulk-commodity pricing but must secure long-term supply amid tightening quotas, while Japanese buyers access higher-value products for advanced manufacturing.

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

Nickel matte is primarily exported as semi-processed bulk material (e.g., oxide sinters) for smelting or refining, with higher-grade products used in batteries and electronics.