Indonesia’s Refined Nickel Production Surges 60-Fold, Becomes World’s Largest
Thu 24 Sep 2026, 11:27 AM
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Indonesia’s refined nickel production has surged more than 60-fold over the past decade.
The fact has made Indonesia the world’s largest producer.
Data from Our World in Data, based on the British Geological Survey, shows production rising from around 22,000 tons in 2014 to more than 1.4 million tons in 2023.
Indonesia overtook China as the world’s largest refined nickel producer in 2021. In 2023, its production reached around 1.41 million tons.
The surge came after the government banned exports of raw nickel ore.
The policy prompted companies to build processing facilities domestically.
Indonesia first implemented a ban on nickel ore exports in 2014.
The policy was eased in 2017 before being fully reinstated from Jan. 1, 2020.
Our World in Data recorded Indonesia’s share of global refined nickel production rising from around 1% in 2014 to 41% in 2023.
Nickel is a key material for stainless steel and several electric vehicle battery technologies. As a result, Indonesia’s production surge has also reshaped the global nickel supply landscape.
The International Energy Agency has noted that Indonesia has also become the main source of growth in global nickel supply.
This concentration has made developments in Indonesia’s nickel industry increasingly significant for global market conditions.
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