China’s NPI Imports Up 24.4% MoM in Aug

SHANGHAI, Sep 23 (SMM) – According to customs data, China imported 350,000 mt of NPI in August 2021, an increase of 24.4% month on month and 19.8% year on year. The imports totalled 2.49 million mt from January to August. The import volume in August was 52,100 mt in Ni content, up 21.65% on the month.

China imported about 300,000 mt of NPI, up 31.9% month on month, and imported about 47,000 mt of Feni, down 9.1% on the month.

The significant increase in NPI imports in July was mainly due to the stagnated shipment at ports. Indonesia exported 239,000 mt of NPI to China in July, while China’s customs data showed that the imports from Indonesia in July were 229,000 mt, as a part of the shipments were stagnated at ports in July and included in the imports in August.

The new productions lines that were put into operation in Indoneisa was fewer than expected due to the pandemic, while the production of stainless steel was stable. NPI imports are expected to stay normal in September if the backlog at ports can be eased.