[NPI Daily Review] Back-and-Forth Negotiations Between Upstream and Downstream for High-Grade NPI, Prices Held Steady While Grade Premiums Remained High

Published: Mar 31, 2026 11:51

Save

[SMM Daily Review: Back-and-Forth Negotiations Between Upstream and Downstream in High-Grade NPI, Prices Held Flat While Grade Premiums Remained High] March 31 News: SMM's upstream sentiment factor for high-grade NPI was 2.78, down 0.05 MoM, while the downstream sentiment factor for high-grade NPI was 1.54, flat MoM.

SMM News on March 31,

March 31 News, SMM's market sentiment factor for high-grade NPI was 2.16, down 0.02 MoM; the upstream sentiment factor for high-grade NPI was 2.78, down 0.05 MoM; and the downstream sentiment factor for high-grade NPI was 1.54, unchanged MoM. Supply side, cost support was evident, and most pig iron plants kept quotations at high levels, but under pressure from steel scrap and end-users, some traders' quotations came under pressure. Demand side, high-content NPI remained in short supply, with a clear premium between grades. Overall, amid back-and-forth negotiations between upstream and downstream, high-grade NPI prices held flat.

Data Source Statement: Except for publicly available information, all other data are processed by SMM based on publicly available information, market communication, and relying on SMM‘s internal database model. They are for reference only and do not constitute decision-making recommendations.

For any inquiries or to learn more information, please contact: lemonzhao@smm.cn

For more information on how to access our research reports, please contact:service.en@smm.cn

Related News

Apr 3, 2026 19:34

High-Grade NPI Smelters Face Profit Pressure Amid Flat Raw Material Prices and Limited Nickel Ore Decline

[SMM Nickel Flash News] Based on the cash cost of high-grade NPI calculated using nickel ore prices from 25 days earlier, profits at high-grade NPI smelters came under pressure during the week, with the sector as a whole remaining in a state of losses or marginal profitability. It is expected that next week, prices of auxiliary materials on the raw material side may remain flat, while the decline in nickel ore prices will likely be limited. High-grade NPI prices will still be under pressure amid back-and-forth negotiations between upstream and downstream, and smelter profits will be unlikely to see any significant improvement.

Apr 3, 2026 19:34

Apr 3, 2026 19:31

Refined Nickel Prices Decline, High-Grade NPI Discount Narrows; Downward Trend Expected to Continue

[SMM Nickel Flash] This week, the price center of refined nickel moved lower, while high-grade NPI prices remained stable. The average discount of high-grade NPI against refined nickel narrowed to 262.4 yuan/nickel unit. High-grade NPI prices were expected to remain under pressure next week, while refined nickel prices were expected to continue their downward trend. The average discount of high-grade NPI against refined nickel was expected to continue narrowing, and the driver for conversion of NPI to high-grade nickel matte weakened.

Apr 3, 2026 19:31

Apr 3, 2026 19:30

SMM Nickel Flash: High-Grade NPI Prices Drop, Market Enters Negotiation Phase

[SMM Nickel Flash] The average SMM price of 10-12% high-grade NPI fell WoW by 1 yuan/nickel unit to 1,082.5 yuan/nickel unit (ex-factory, tax included), while the average price of Indonesia's NPI FOB index fell WoW by $0.02/nickel unit to $136.58/nickel unit. The high-grade NPI market generally remained stable, and after the transaction center stabilized, the market entered a state of back-and-forth negotiations between upstream and downstream, with prices under pressure in the short term.

Apr 3, 2026 19:30