The Indonesian government has identified 15 out of 28 downstream commodities planned for development over the next four years as priority commodities. It has also mapped their respective locations, investors, and technologies in line with the National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN).
Minister of Investment and Downstream Industries, Rosan Roeslani, stated during a working meeting with Commission XI of the House of Representatives in Jakarta on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, that among the 15 priority downstream commodities, nickel ranks first with an investment value of 365 trillion Indonesian rupiah.
Export distribution data for nickel matte in 2024 shows that China was the primary destination, with exports amounting to 186.1 thousand tonnes (kt), followed by Japan (90.4 kt), the Netherlands (13.5 kt), and Norway (6.9 kt). The total export target for nickel matte reached 296.9 kt, valued at USD 2.97 billion.
Meanwhile, exports of NPI and nickel based alloy products in 2024 amounted to 8,142.8 kt to China, followed by India (178.5 kt), South Korea (124.2 kt), the Netherlands (89.7 kt), and other countries (92.9 kt). Total exports of NPI and nickel based alloys reached 8,628.2 kt, valued at USD 12.6 billion.
Exports of MHP products in 2024 stood at 1,361 kt to China and 6.5 kt to South Korea, totaling 1,368.14 kt with an export value of USD 3.44 billion.
Given its dominant market contribution and high export volumes, this indicates that the government's downstream policy has successfully increased the added value of the country's nickel commodities while strengthening its negotiating position in the global supply chain.
Rosan further noted that in the future, the government will reinforce related policies in accordance with the RPJMN and improve the institutional framework, mechanisms, coordination, and governance for strategic downstream investment shifts. Supervision will also include monitoring priority downstream transfer projects and accelerating investment realization by enhancing coordination among ministries/agencies and relevant stakeholders.
Written by Cora Ji, jiruyan@mysteel.com
