Indonesia Palm Oil HS1511 Export Data 2025 March Overview

Indonesia Palm Oil (HS 1511) 2025 March Export: Key Takeaways

Indonesia’s Palm Oil Export 2025 March (HS Code 1511) reveals a market dominated by Pakistan as the bulk buyer, accounting for 11.69% of volume but paying lower prices ($1.05/kg), signaling demand for lower-grade product. The market is highly concentrated, with Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Malaysia forming a low-value cluster, while the U.S. and China drive premium segments. Exporters face tightening supply due to Indonesia’s biodiesel mandates, likely pushing prices higher. This analysis covers March 2025 and is based on cleanly processed Customs data from the yTrade database.

Indonesia Palm Oil (HS 1511) 2025 March Export Background

Indonesia Palm Oil Export (HS Code 1511), covering palm oil and its fractions, refined or unrefined, fuels global food, biofuel, and cosmetic industries due to its versatility and high demand. In 2025, Indonesia raised export levies to 10% for crude palm oil [FAS USDA] and plans stricter curbs to meet its B50 biodiesel mandate by 2026 [Ukragroconsult], tightening global supply. As the world’s top exporter, Indonesia’s policies directly impact prices and availability, making its March 2025 trade moves critical for buyers and markets.

Indonesia Palm Oil (HS 1511) 2025 March Export: Trend Summary

Key Observations

March 2025 saw Indonesia Palm Oil Export under HS Code 1511 continue a downward price trend, with unit prices dropping to 1.08 USD/kg, while export volumes and values dipped slightly from February's highs.

Price and Volume Dynamics

Compared to February, March's unit price fell by 1.8%, volumes decreased by 1.6% to 1.86 billion units, and export value declined by 2.4% to $2.02 billion. This moderation aligns with typical post-harvest easing in palm oil cycles, where early-year stock builds often lead to price softening as supply stabilizes. The sequential dip from February's peak suggests market adjustment rather than a sharp downturn, reflecting balanced export flows amid steady production.

External Context and Outlook

The gradual price decline and volume stability in March occurred against a backdrop of Indonesia's B40 biodiesel mandate, implemented in January 2025, which boosted domestic consumption and likely constrained export availability [S&P Global]. Looking ahead, potential further export curbs and the planned B50 mandate (S&P Global) could tighten global supply, supporting prices despite current softness.

Indonesia Palm Oil (HS 1511) 2025 March Export: HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

Indonesia's Palm Oil Export for 2025 March under HS Code 1511 is dominated by refined palm oil, specifically the sub-code for palm oil and its fractions, other than crude, which holds a 48% share by weight and 48% by value. This product ships at $1.07 per kilogram. One minor sub-code with negligible volume shows an extreme price anomaly at $0.33 per kilogram and is excluded from further analysis.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The remaining sub-codes fall into two clear groups: refined palm oil (non-crude) and crude palm oil. The refined category includes multiple variants with unit prices from $1.06 to $1.19 per kilogram, indicating slight grade or processing differences. The sole crude palm oil sub-code trades at $1.14 per kilogram. The narrow price band and bulk volume confirm this as a fungible commodity trade, not differentiated goods.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

Exporters face limited pricing power due to the commodity nature of these products. Indonesia's domestic biodiesel policies are tightening supply. [The USDA reports] increased export levies in May 2025, and (USDA) and other sources note potential further curbs to support higher biodiesel blending mandates. For HS Code 1511, strategic focus must remain on cost efficiency and managing export compliance risks.

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Indonesia Palm Oil (HS 1511) 2025 March Export: Market Concentration

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

Indonesia's Palm Oil Export 2025 March shows a highly concentrated market, with Pakistan as the dominant buyer by both volume and transaction frequency. Pakistan accounts for 11.69% of total weight and 12.4% of shipments but only 11.11% of total value, indicating it primarily purchases lower-grade product at a lower average price of approximately $1.05/kg for HS Code 1511. This value-to-weight disparity confirms Pakistan's role as a bulk commodity buyer.

Partner Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

Two clear import clusters emerge from the Top 10 data. The first includes Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Malaysia, which show similar low value-to-weight ratios, suggesting they focus on cost-effective crude palm oil for food and basic manufacturing. The second cluster contains the United States and China, which have higher value ratios, indicating purchases of more refined, higher-value products for specialized consumer goods or re-export. This split reflects the different end-uses and processing capabilities in these markets.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

Exporters should prepare for tighter supply and higher costs. Recent policy moves, including increased export levies and potential new restrictions, aim to secure domestic feedstock for Indonesia's B40 and planned B50 biodiesel mandates (ukragroconsult.com, ecofinagency.com). This will squeeze global supply and likely push prices higher. Buyers, especially bulk commodity importers, must diversify sources or lock in long-term contracts to manage volatility for HS Code 1511.

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Indonesia Palm Oil (HS 1511) 2025 March Export: Buyer Cluster

Buyer Market Concentration and Dominance

In March 2025, the Indonesia Palm Oil Export market for HS Code 1511 shows strong concentration, with one segment of buyers dominating both value and frequency. The high-value, high-frequency buyers account for 77.50% of the export value and 68.42% of transaction frequency, indicating that a small core group drives most trade activity. This four-segment analysis reveals a market where large, regular purchases are the norm, shaping the overall export dynamics for palm oil.

Strategic Buyer Clusters and Trade Role

The other buyer segments play distinct roles. High-value, low-frequency buyers contribute 18.12% of value with few transactions, likely representing bulk or project-based purchases common in commodity trades like palm oil. Low-value, high-frequency buyers make up 2.76% of value but 23.94% of frequency, suggesting smaller, routine buyers such as regional distributors. Low-value, low-frequency buyers add minimal value (1.62%) and frequency, possibly including infrequent or trial customers.

Sales Strategy and Vulnerability

For Indonesian exporters, the strategy should focus on maintaining relationships with dominant high-value buyers while monitoring risks from over-reliance. The news of increased export levies and biodiesel mandates, such as the B40 program [USDA], could squeeze supply and raise costs, emphasizing the need for cost management and potential diversification into other buyer segments to mitigate vulnerability.

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Indonesia Palm Oil (HS 1511) 2025 March Export: Action Plan for Palm Oil Market Expansion

Strategic Supply Chain Overview

Indonesia Palm Oil Export 2025 March for HS Code 1511 is a bulk commodity trade. Prices are driven by government policy changes like higher export levies and domestic biodiesel mandates. These policies tighten global supply and increase costs. Supply chain implications include rising price volatility and supply security risks for bulk importers like Pakistan. Indonesia's role as a processing hub faces pressure from these internal shifts.

Action Plan: Data-Driven Steps for Palm Oil Market Execution

• Monitor buyer transaction frequency data to anticipate order cycles and optimize inventory levels. This prevents stockouts or overstock during supply squeezes.
• Track real-time changes in Indonesian export levy policies using trade intelligence platforms. This allows quick cost adjustment and contract renegotiation.
• Analyze destination-specific import data to identify shifts toward higher-value refined products. This helps target premium markets like the US and China for better margins.
• Use HS Code sub-classification data to verify product grades and avoid mispriced shipments. This ensures accurate pricing and compliance with buyer specifications.
• Develop long-term supply agreements with high-value, high-frequency buyers to secure stable demand. This reduces vulnerability to policy-driven supply shocks.

Take Action Now —— Explore Indonesia Palm Oil Export Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Indonesia Palm Oil Export 2025 March?

The slight price and volume dip in March reflects typical post-harvest easing, but tighter supply looms due to Indonesia's B40 biodiesel mandate and potential further export curbs to support domestic feedstock needs.

Q2. Who are the main partner countries in this Indonesia Palm Oil Export 2025 March?

Pakistan dominates with 11.69% of volume, followed by Bangladesh and Malaysia, forming a bulk commodity cluster, while the U.S. and China purchase higher-value refined products.

Q3. Why does the unit price differ across Indonesia Palm Oil Export 2025 March partner countries?

Price gaps stem from product grade: Pakistan buys crude palm oil at ~$1.05/kg, while the U.S. and China pay more for refined variants ($1.06–$1.19/kg) with specialized processing.

Q4. What should exporters in Indonesia focus on in the current Palm Oil export market?

Exporters must prioritize cost efficiency and compliance with levies while nurturing relationships with high-value buyers (77.5% of trade value) to offset supply constraints from biodiesel policies.

Q5. What does this Indonesia Palm Oil export pattern mean for buyers in partner countries?

Bulk buyers like Pakistan face volatility risks due to Indonesia’s domestic biodiesel mandates; diversifying sources or securing long-term contracts is critical to manage price pressures.

Q6. How is Palm Oil typically used in this trade flow?

Refined palm oil (48% of exports) serves consumer goods and re-export markets, while crude palm oil supplies food and basic manufacturing in bulk-importing countries.

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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