Indonesia Nickel Oxide Sinters HS750120 Export Data 2025 February Overview

Indonesia Nickel Oxide Sinters (HS 750120) 2025 February Export: Key Takeaways

Indonesia's nickel oxide sinters (HS Code 750120) exports in February 2025 reveal extreme buyer concentration, with China absorbing 99.5% of shipments as raw material for its stainless steel and battery industries. The market operates as a near-monopoly, demanding long-term contracts to secure supply amid Indonesia's tightening export regulations. This analysis, covering February 2025, is based on verified Customs data from the yTrade database.

Indonesia Nickel Oxide Sinters (HS 750120) 2025 February Export Background

Indonesia’s nickel oxide sinters (HS Code 750120)—key intermediates in stainless steel and battery production—face tightening export rules as global demand grows. Under Permendag 8/2025, effective March 2025, Indonesia restricts raw mineral exports to boost domestic processing [Permitindo], while GR 8/2025 mandates 12-month retention of export proceeds in local banks [Orrick]. These policies reinforce Indonesia’s role as a top nickel exporter, shaping 2025 trade flows.

Indonesia Nickel Oxide Sinters (HS 750120) 2025 February Export: Trend Summary

Key Observations

In February 2025, Indonesia's export of Nickel oxide sinters under HS Code 750120 totaled $312.70 million in value and 125.80 million kg in volume, indicating a notable shift from the previous month.

Price and Volume Dynamics

Compared to January 2025, both value and volume declined sharply, with value falling by approximately 26.6% and volume by 25.9%. This drop aligns with typical industrial production cycles in the nickel sector, where post-new year periods often see reduced output due to inventory drawdowns and seasonal demand adjustments, rather than abrupt market shifts.

External Context and Outlook

The decline in exports is further explained by Indonesia's implementation of new regulations, such as Permendag 8/2025, which restricts certain mineral exports to support downstream processing [Permitindo]. This policy likely intensified the February slump, and ongoing regulatory changes may sustain volatility for Indonesia Nickel oxide sinters HS Code 750120 Export through 2025.

Indonesia Nickel Oxide Sinters (HS 750120) 2025 February Export: HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

In February 2025, Indonesia's export of HS Code 750120 is entirely concentrated on a single product: Nickel oxide sinters and other intermediate products of nickel metallurgy. This sub-code accounts for all export value, weight, and volume, with a unit price of 2.49 USD per kilogram, indicating a highly specialized market without any price anomalies or diversification.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The market structure consists solely of intermediate nickel products, which are semi-processed materials used in further metallurgical processes. This suggests a trade in standardized, industrial-grade goods rather than fungible raw commodities or differentiated finished products. The homogeneity points to a supply chain focused on feeding downstream manufacturing, with quality likely tied to technical specifications rather than brand differentiation.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

The high specialization may grant Indonesian exporters some pricing power due to limited competition within this code. However, regulatory changes like Indonesia's Permendag 8/2025, which supports downstream mineral processing [Permitindo], could impose restrictions or requirements that affect export flexibility and pricing strategies. Exporters should monitor compliance with such rules to maintain market access.

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Indonesia Nickel Oxide Sinters (HS 750120) 2025 February Export: Market Concentration

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

Indonesia's nickel oxide sinters (HS Code 750120) exports in February 2025 show extreme market concentration. China Mainland is the dominant buyer, accounting for 99.55% of the total export value and 99.52% of the weight. The near-identical value and weight ratios indicate China purchases the product as a bulk commodity, with minimal unit price variation across buyers.

Partner Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The export pattern reveals two clear clusters. China forms the primary cluster, absorbing virtually all production as raw material for its massive stainless steel and battery manufacturing sectors. India represents a secondary cluster with minimal presence (0.45% value share), suggesting either occasional spot purchases or lower-grade material shipments that don't compete with China's consistent high-volume offtake.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

Buyers must secure long-term contracts with Indonesian nickel processors to ensure supply stability, as the market is effectively monopolized by Chinese offtake. The Indonesian government's export regulations [Permitindo] further emphasize domestic processing, meaning exporters must comply with new documentation and value retention rules. Companies should develop direct relationships with smelters rather than relying on spot market availability.

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Indonesia Nickel Oxide Sinters (HS 750120) 2025 February Export: Action Plan for Nickel Oxide Sinters Market Expansion

Strategic Supply Chain Overview

The Indonesia Nickel oxide sinters Export 2025 February under HS Code 750120 operates as a concentrated commodity market. Price is driven by product grade consistency and China's bulk procurement for its stainless steel sector. Geopolitical risk from Indonesia's export policies, like Permendag 8/2025, also impacts pricing. The supply chain implication is total dependence on China for offtake, creating vulnerability but also reinforcing Indonesia's role as a critical processing hub for intermediate nickel products.

Action Plan: Data-Driven Steps for Nickel oxide sinters Market Execution

• Negotiate long-term contracts with high-value Chinese buyers using shipment frequency data to lock in stable volumes and mitigate spot market exposure.
• Diversify buyer portfolio by targeting Indian and Southeast Asian importers identified in trade records to reduce over-reliance on a single market.
• Automate compliance checks for Indonesia's export regulations using real-time regulatory data feeds to avoid shipment delays and financial penalties.
• Monitor buyer purchase cycles and inventory levels through transaction frequency analysis to anticipate demand shifts and optimize production scheduling.

Risk and Compliance Outlook

Exporters face concentration risk from China's dominance. Indonesia's export rules require strict adherence. Companies must secure supply chains against policy changes. Data-driven buyer diversification is essential for stability.

Take Action Now —— Explore Indonesia Nickel oxide sinters Export Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

A1. The 26.6% value decline reflects seasonal demand adjustments and Indonesia’s new export regulations, which prioritize domestic processing over raw material shipments.

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

A2. China dominates with 99.55% of export value, while India accounts for just 0.45%, showing extreme geographic concentration.

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

A3. The uniform unit price (2.49 USD/kg) indicates standardized industrial-grade nickel intermediates, with no meaningful price variation across buyers.

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

A4. Exporters must secure long-term contracts with high-value buyers (43% of trade) while complying with new regulations mandating local revenue retention.

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

A5. Buyers face supply risks due to China’s near-monopsony; diversifying sources or negotiating direct smelter relationships is critical.

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

A6. The product serves as semi-processed material for downstream metallurgy, mainly feeding China’s stainless steel and battery manufacturing sectors.