Indonesia’s stainless steel exports are setting new records. Recent data shows a surge in shipments. This trend is reshaping the global market for stainless steel pipe suppliers.
According to BigMint, from January to September 2025, Indonesia exported 2.39 million tons of stainless steel flat products. This is a 7% increase from 2.24 million tons in the same period last year. This growth confirms Indonesia’s solid role in the global stainless steel supply chain.
01 Strong Asian Demand Drives Growth
Demand from Asia is a key driver. The market performance is strong across multiple regions.
China remains the cornerstone buyer.
China imported 760,000 tons, up 2% year-on-year. A notable 13% monthly surge was recorded in September alone.
Southeast Asia is the new growth engine.
Vietnam imported 510,000 tons, a sharp 15% increase. Malaysia saw explosive growth, with imports skyrocketing to 200,000 tons, a massive 103% jump.
Taiwan, China, maintains stable growth.
It was the second-largest destination, with imports of 570,000 tons.
02 Ports Operate at Full Capacity
Behind these numbers are Indonesian ports working at full throttle.
The Bahodopi Port is the main artery for exports. It handled 2.36 million tons, a 7% increase. Other ports, like Tanjung Priok, also contributed significantly with an 18% growth.
03 Two Key Factors Behind Unstoppable Growth
Indonesia’s competitive strength comes from two main advantages.
Relentless capacity expansion.
Major producers like Krakatau Posco and Tsingshan are continuously increasing production. New joint ventures, like Glory Metal, will add more supply.
A powerful cost advantage from raw materials.
As a global nickel powerhouse, Indonesia has low-cost nickel pig iron. This gives its stainless production a significant cost edge that is hard to match.
Conclusion
Industry analysis suggests Indonesia’s exports will remain high. With its growing capacity, cost advantage, and active marketing, this Southeast Asian giant’s momentum looks unstoppable. This booming export volume directly impacts the cost structure and material availability for ss tube suppliers worldwide, creating a new competitive landscape.
As leading international ss tube suppliers, we monitor these global shifts to secure stable, cost-effective raw materials for our clients.

