Indonesia Nickel Matte HS7501 Export Data 2025 Q2 Overview

Indonesia Nickel Matte (HS 7501) 2025 Q2 Export: Key Takeaways

Indonesia’s Nickel Matte exports (HS Code 7501) in 2025 Q2 reveal extreme buyer concentration, with China absorbing 94.5% of volume at lower unit prices, while Japan represents a smaller, higher-value cluster. This heavy reliance on China creates supply chain risks as Indonesia shifts toward domestic processing, signaling potential future tightening of raw material flows. Based on cleanly processed Customs data from the yTrade database, this analysis highlights critical market vulnerabilities and strategic shifts for 2025 Q2.

Indonesia Nickel Matte (HS 7501) 2025 Q2 Export Background

Indonesia's Nickel Matte (HS Code 7501: nickel matte, oxide sinters, and smelting intermediates) is critical for stainless steel and EV battery production, driving stable global demand. In 2025 Q2, Indonesia's nickel exports hit $16.5 billion, surpassing coal for the first time [Discovery Alert], as new regulations (PP 28/2025) tightened smelter permits to prioritize value-added growth [Benchmark Minerals]. This positions Indonesia as a dominant supplier amid shifting trade policies.

Indonesia Nickel Matte (HS 7501) 2025 Q2 Export: Trend Summary

Key Observations

In Q2 2025, Indonesia's Nickel Matte exports under HS Code 7501 experienced a modest decline in both value and volume compared to Q1, with unit prices remaining stable despite a brief spike in April to $3.46/kg.

Price and Volume Dynamics

Quarter-over-quarter, export value fell by approximately 3.5% and volume decreased by 3.1%, while the average unit price held steady around $3.27/kg. The April price increase likely reflects typical industrial stock adjustments or pre-policy hedging, as metal markets often see short-term volatility ahead of regulatory changes before supply and demand rebalance.

External Context and Outlook

This trend aligns with Indonesia's push for downstream value addition, underscored by new regulations like [Government Regulation No. 28 of 2025] that restrict raw material exports and aim to boost processed nickel output (neoenergy.co.id). These policies may sustain supply constraints and support higher export values in the medium term, though near-term uncertainty persists.

Indonesia Nickel Matte (HS 7501) 2025 Q2 Export: HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

In 2025 Q2, Indonesia's export under HS Code 7501 is dominated by nickel oxide sinters and other intermediate products, which represent over 90% of the weight and value share. This sub-code, with a unit price of 2.58 USD per kilogram, shows a high volume concentration, while nickel mattes, with a higher unit price of 9.53 USD per kilogram, account for a smaller share but indicate a price disparity that suggests different market segments.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The two sub-codes under HS Code 7501 group into distinct value-add stages: nickel mattes as a less processed form and nickel oxide sinters as more refined intermediates. This structure points to a trade in differentiated products rather than fungible bulk commodities, as the unit price differences reflect variations in processing and grade rather than uniform commodity pricing linked to indices.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

For Indonesia nickel matte export in 2025 Q2, the focus on higher-value intermediates under HS Code 7501 suggests potential pricing power in processed goods. Supported by policies aiming to restrict raw material exports and promote downstream growth, as noted in Benchmark Minerals, market players should prioritize investing in advanced processing to capture value from Indonesia's strategic shift.

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Indonesia Nickel Matte (HS 7501) 2025 Q2 Export: Market Concentration

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

Indonesia Nickel Matte Export 2025 Q2 shows extreme concentration, with China Mainland taking 94.5% of total weight under HS Code 7501. China's value share (83.6%) lags its weight share, pointing to lower unit prices for bulk commodity shipments.

Partner Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

Two clear buyer groups emerge. China forms the core industrial consumer cluster, absorbing massive volumes for its stainless steel and battery material production. Japan represents a secondary, value-driven cluster with higher relative spending per ton. The minimal activity from South Korea and the UK suggests these are only occasional or niche buyers for specific industrial needs.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

This heavy reliance on China creates supply chain vulnerability. Indonesia's new policies aim to shift from raw material exports to higher-value domestic processing [Discovery Alert]. For buyers, this means future nickel matte volumes may tighten as Indonesia pushes its downstream strategy (Benchmark Minerals), making diversified sourcing critical.

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Indonesia Nickel Matte (HS 7501) 2025 Q2 Export: Buyer Cluster

Buyer Market Concentration and Dominance

In the 2025 Q2 analysis of Indonesia Nickel Matte Export under HS Code 7501, the buyer market shows extreme concentration. One group of buyers dominates, accounting for 92.25% of the total export value and 89.24% of the transaction frequency. This means almost all trade comes from a small set of companies that buy large amounts very often. The median buyer behavior is high-value and high-frequency, making this the core of the market. The four segments of buyers are defined by value and frequency, but only two are active in this period.

Strategic Buyer Clusters and Trade Role

The other buyer clusters play minor roles. A low-value, low-frequency group exists, contributing just 7.75% of value and 10.76% of frequency, with companies like CNGR Ding Xing New Energy involved. This suggests occasional, smaller purchases, possibly for niche needs or testing. The high-value, low-frequency and low-value, high-frequency clusters have no activity, indicating no buyers making rare large orders or frequent small ones. For a commodity like nickel matte, this structure points to a market reliant on steady, bulk transactions from key players.

Sales Strategy and Vulnerability

For exporters in Indonesia, the strategy must focus on nurturing relationships with the dominant high-value, high-frequency buyers to maintain stability. The risk is high dependency on a few clients, which could be vulnerable to market shifts. However, Indonesia's nickel sector is growing, with exports reaching $16.5 billion in the first half of 2025 [Discovery Alert], supporting opportunities for expanded sales. The sales model should prioritize direct, frequent engagement with core buyers, leveraging Indonesia's push for value-added exports as seen in recent policies.

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Indonesia Nickel Matte (HS 7501) 2025 Q2 Export: Action Plan for Nickel Matte Market Expansion

Strategic Supply Chain Overview

Indonesia Nickel Matte Export 2025 Q2 under HS Code 7501 operates as a concentrated commodity market. Price is driven by product grade differences—higher-value nickel mattes versus bulk sinters—and heavy reliance on China’s industrial demand. This creates supply chain risk: over 90% of volume flows to one dominant buyer cluster in one country. Indonesia’s policy shift toward domestic refining may further tighten raw material supply, increasing vulnerability for import-dependent partners.

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

• Track buyer transaction frequency under HS Code 7501 monthly to anticipate order cycles and avoid overstock, because the market depends on steady bulk purchases from a few key clients.
• Analyze unit price gaps between nickel mattes and sinters to prioritize production of higher-margin items, since grade specialization drives value in Indonesia’s export mix.
• Diversify buyer targeting beyond China using trade data to identify secondary markets like Japan, reducing concentration risk and capturing value-focused buyers.
• Monitor Indonesian export policy updates quarterly to anticipate supply constraints, as domestic processing mandates may limit future raw nickel matte availability.
• Engage high-frequency buyers with long-term contracts to secure stable revenue, given that 90% of trade volume comes from recurrent bulk orders.

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 Q2?

The Q2 decline in value and volume reflects Indonesia's strategic shift toward downstream processing, with stable unit prices indicating sustained demand despite policy-driven supply constraints.

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

China dominates with 94.5% of total weight, followed distantly by Japan, which pays higher unit prices for niche demand. South Korea and the UK show minimal activity.

Q3. Why does the unit price differ across Indonesia Nickel Matte Export 2025 Q2 partner countries?

Price differences stem from product specialization: nickel oxide sinters (2.58 USD/kg) dominate bulk shipments to China, while nickel mattes (9.53 USD/kg) cater to higher-value segments like Japan.

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

Exporters must prioritize relationships with high-value, high-frequency buyers (92.25% of trade) while diversifying beyond China to mitigate supply chain risks tied to policy shifts.

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

Buyers face tightening supply as Indonesia restricts raw exports, urging China to secure bulk volumes and Japan to leverage its premium niche position amid rising processed-goods demand.

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

Nickel matte serves as a key intermediate for stainless steel and battery material production, with bulk shipments feeding China’s industrial base and refined grades meeting specialized needs elsewhere.

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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