Indonesia Nickel Matte HS7501 Export Data 2025 June Overview

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

Indonesia's Nickel Matte exports under HS Code 7501 in June 2025 reveal a market dominated by China, which absorbed 93.9% of volume but at lower unit prices, reflecting its role as a bulk commodity buyer. The extreme reliance on a single market heightens supply chain risks, compounded by Indonesia's policy shift to restrict raw exports and push higher-value products. This analysis, covering June 2025, is based on cleanly processed Customs data from the yTrade database.

Indonesia Nickel Matte (HS 7501) 2025 June Export Background

Indonesia’s nickel matte (HS Code 7501), which includes nickel oxide sinters and intermediate smelting products, is critical for stainless steel and EV battery production, driving steady global demand. In June 2025, the government introduced Regulation No. 28 to tighten nickel processing, aiming to boost value-added exports like cathode materials [Discovery Alert]. As the world’s top nickel producer, Indonesia’s export policies directly shape supply chains, making its nickel matte exports a key focus for 2025.

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

Key Observations

In June 2025, Indonesia's Nickel Matte exports experienced a notable decline, with unit prices dropping to a six-month low of 3.16 USD/kg and volume falling by 14% month-over-month, reflecting heightened market uncertainty amid new regulatory measures.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The first half of 2025 showed fluctuating trends for HS Code 7501, with unit prices ranging from 3.16 to 3.46 USD/kg and volume peaking in March before the June dip. This volatility aligns with typical nickel market cycles, where policy-driven supply adjustments often precede inventory drawdowns and price softness. The sequential decline from May to June underscores short-term disruptions, as exporters likely paused shipments in response to impending rules.

External Context and Outlook

The downturn correlates directly with Indonesia's introduction of PP 28/2025 in June [metal.com], which restricts new smelter permits for Nickel Matte and aims to boost value-added exports (metal.com). This policy, part of a broader downstreaming push [benchmarkminerals.com], may sustain near-term supply tightness but is expected to elevate Indonesia's role in premium nickel products long-term.

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

Product Specialization and Concentration

In June 2025, Indonesia's export of HS Code 7501 is heavily specialized, with nickel oxide sinters and other intermediate products (HS 75012000) dominating the market. This sub-code holds a 74% value share and 91% weight share, with a unit price of 2.56 USD per kilogram. Nickel mattes (HS 75011000) is isolated as an anomaly due to its significantly higher unit price of 9.45 USD per kilogram, indicating a distinct, high-grade product separate from the main bulk exports.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The sub-codes are grouped into two categories: intermediate processed goods (75012000) and raw nickel mattes (75011000). The large price gap between them shows that Indonesia Nickel Matte Export involves both bulk commodities and differentiated, higher-value forms. This structure points to a trade in goods with varying quality grades, rather than uniform fungible products tied to simple indices.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

Indonesia can leverage its control over high-grade nickel mattes for better pricing power, while bulk intermediates face more competitive pressures. According to [Discovery Alert], Indonesia's policies aim to shift exports toward value-added products, supporting a focus on upgrading processing for higher returns in the HS Code 7501 market.

Check Detailed HS 7501 Breakdown

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

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

Indonesia Nickel Matte Export 2025 June under HS Code 7501 is overwhelmingly concentrated in China, which accounted for 93.9% of the total export weight. The 12.57 percentage point gap between China's value share (81.33%) and its weight share (93.9%) indicates it is purchasing a lower unit price product, consistent with nickel matte being a bulk intermediate commodity.

Partner Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

Two distinct clusters emerge from the data. The first is China, a single massive consumer driven by its vast domestic smelting and refining capacity for stainless steel and battery production. The second cluster consists of Japan, a consistent but much smaller-volume buyer, and a group of minor partners like South Korea and the UK, which likely represent opportunistic or spot market purchases.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

The extreme reliance on a single market creates significant supply chain risk for Indonesian exporters. Recent policy shifts aim to mitigate this by forcing a move up the value chain. [Benchmark Minerals] reports a new ban on smelter permits for products like nickel matte, signaling a government push to export higher-value finished goods instead. Market players should prepare for potential supply tightening and a strategic pivot towards more advanced nickel products.

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

Buyer Market Concentration and Dominance

The Indonesia Nickel Matte Export for 2025 June, under HS Code 7501, shows extreme market concentration, with over 93% of export value controlled by a small group of high-value, high-frequency buyers. This dominant segment, representing the bulk of transactions, defines the market as heavily reliant on a few key players for both volume and revenue. The analysis of four segments of buyers confirms that most trade is driven by this core group, indicating a narrow buyer base.

Strategic Buyer Clusters and Trade Role

Beyond the dominant buyers, low-value, high-frequency buyers account for a minor share of value but are active in frequency, likely representing smaller or testing purchases. Low-value, low-frequency buyers contribute modestly and may be infrequent or opportunistic. There are no high-value, low-frequency buyers in this period, suggesting no large, one-off transactions, which aligns with the commodity nature of nickel matte where regular, high-volume deals are typical.

Sales Strategy and Vulnerability

For exporters in Indonesia, the strategy must prioritize nurturing relationships with dominant buyers to mitigate dependency risks, while exploring value-added opportunities in line with new regulations [Discovery Alert that promote downstream processing. This shift could reduce vulnerability to market changes and support higher-value export goals, as emphasized in recent policy updates (Discovery Alert). Sales should focus on maintaining high-frequency engagements with key partners.

Check Full Nickel Matte Buyer lists

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

Strategic Supply Chain Overview

The Indonesia Nickel Matte Export 2025 June under HS Code 7501 reveals two distinct price drivers. First, product grade is key. High-grade nickel mattes (HS 75011000) command a premium price. Second, the market's extreme concentration in China creates price pressure for bulk intermediates. The 12.57 percentage point gap between China's value and weight share confirms its role as a bulk, lower-margin buyer.

This creates major supply chain implications. Indonesia's export economy is dangerously reliant on a single market. Recent policy shifts aim to change this. The government is pushing for more value-added exports. This will reduce supply chain vulnerability. It will also shift Indonesia's role from a raw material supplier to a processing hub.

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

• Analyze HS Code 7501 sub-categories monthly. Track the volume and price split between high-grade mattes (75011000) and intermediates (75012000). This identifies opportunities to shift production toward higher-margin products for better returns.
• Monitor the top five high-value, high-frequency buyers closely. Use shipment frequency data to predict their demand cycles and negotiate more stable, long-term contracts. This secures revenue and reduces market volatility risk.
• Diversify your export destinations using trade intelligence. Actively identify and target new potential partners in regions like the EU or North America. This reduces over-dependence on a single market and builds a more resilient buyer portfolio.
• Align your production strategy with Indonesia's new smelter policies. Prepare to upgrade processing capabilities for higher-value nickel products. This future-proofs your business against regulatory changes and captures more value in the chain.

Why Traditional Market Analysis Falls Short

Standard methods use aggregated data. They miss critical details. They cannot see the price difference between nickel matte grades within HS Code 7501. They overlook the buying patterns of dominant clients.

This lack of sub-component and behavioral insight leads to poor strategy. Companies miss high-margin opportunities. They fail to see supply chain risks. They cannot execute a proactive, data-driven trade plan.

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 June?

The decline in volume and unit price reflects market uncertainty due to new regulations (PP 28/2025) restricting smelter permits, part of Indonesia’s push toward higher-value nickel products.

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

China dominates with 81.33% of export value, followed by Japan and minor buyers like South Korea and the UK.

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

The gap stems from China’s bulk purchases of lower-priced intermediate products (HS 75012000), while Japan and others likely buy smaller volumes of higher-grade nickel mattes (HS 75011000).

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

Exporters must prioritize relationships with dominant high-value buyers (93% of trade) while aligning with policies to shift toward processed, higher-margin products.

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

China’s dominance signals stable bulk supply, but smaller buyers face potential supply tightening as Indonesia pivots to value-added exports.

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

It serves as a key intermediate for stainless steel and battery production, particularly in China’s smelting and refining 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.

Q8. How can yTrade benefit my business?

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Q9. What features does yTrade offer?

yTrade provides practical, trade-focused tools including:

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