[SMM Nickel Sulphate Daily Review] March 30, Market Transactions Were Sluggish, Nickel Salt Prices Remained Stable

Published: Mar 30, 2026 11:46 (GMT+8)
On March 30, the SMM average price of battery-grade nickel sulphate remained stable.

On March 30, the average SMM battery-grade nickel sulphate price held steady.

From the cost side, nickel prices continued to be pressured by the Middle East situation, and the immediate production cost of nickel sulphate edged down; from the supply side, MHP payables have risen recently, and nickel salt smelters raised their offers due to higher raw material costs; from the demand side, some producers have made inquiries recently, but as downstream orders were not particularly optimistic, costs were difficult to pass down, resulting in weak acceptance of high-priced nickel salts. Today, the upstream nickel salt smelters' Willingness to Sell Sentiment Factor was 1.8, the downstream precursor plants' purchasing sentiment factor was 2.6, and the integrated enterprises' sentiment factor was 2.3 (historical data is available in the database).

Looking ahead, as the monthly procurement period approaches, attention should be paid to downstream demand and the extent of downward cost pass-through.

[For more content, please subscribe to SMM Nickel Research Team products, China Nickel-Chrome-Stainless Steel Industry Chain Regular Report and China Nickel-Chrome-Stainless Steel Industry Chain High-End Report, to accessthe latest data analysis and market insights on nickel ore, NPI (China + Indonesia), refined nickel, nickel sulphate, chrome ore,ferrochrome, and stainless steel (China + Indonesia)!]


 

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 for 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
[SMM Analysis] Weak Demand and Rising Substitution Advantage Push High-Grade NPI Price Center Downward
Oct 16, 2026 18:08 (GMT+8)
[SMM Analysis] Weak Demand and Rising Substitution Advantage Push High-Grade NPI Price Center Downward
Read More
[SMM Analysis] Weak Demand and Rising Substitution Advantage Push High-Grade NPI Price Center Downward
[SMM Analysis] Weak Demand and Rising Substitution Advantage Push High-Grade NPI Price Center Downward
[SMM Analysis: Weak Demand and Rising Substitution Advantage Drag Down High-Grade NPI Price Center] The average price of SMM 10-12% high-grade NPI fell 7.9 yuan/nickel unit WoW to 1,029.4 yuan/nickel unit (ex-factory, tax included). The average price of the Indonesian NPI FOB index fell 0.7 $/nickel unit WoW to 133.2 $/nickel unit. This week, the high-grade NPI market continued to drift lower, with the price center moving down steadily and bearish sentiment intensifying.
Oct 16, 2026 18:08 (GMT+8)
[SMM Analysis] Downside Risks for Cobalt Salt Prices Remain, Nickel Intermediate Product Payables Stay Weak This Week
Oct 16, 2026 17:26 (GMT+8)
[SMM Analysis] Downside Risks for Cobalt Salt Prices Remain, Nickel Intermediate Product Payables Stay Weak This Week
Read More
[SMM Analysis] Downside Risks for Cobalt Salt Prices Remain, Nickel Intermediate Product Payables Stay Weak This Week
[SMM Analysis] Downside Risks for Cobalt Salt Prices Remain, Nickel Intermediate Product Payables Stay Weak This Week
Oct 16, 2026 17:26 (GMT+8)
[SMM Nickel Flash] Indonesia Approves Revised 2026 RKAB Nickel Ore Production Quota of Approximately 290 Million Tonnes
Oct 16, 2026 17:03 (GMT+8)
[SMM Nickel Flash] Indonesia Approves Revised 2026 RKAB Nickel Ore Production Quota of Approximately 290 Million Tonnes
Read More
[SMM Nickel Flash] Indonesia Approves Revised 2026 RKAB Nickel Ore Production Quota of Approximately 290 Million Tonnes
[SMM Nickel Flash] Indonesia Approves Revised 2026 RKAB Nickel Ore Production Quota of Approximately 290 Million Tonnes
According to Tri Winarno, Director General of Minerals and Coal at Indonesia’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), the Indonesian government has approved a revised 2026 RKAB nickel ore production quota of approximately 290 million tonnes Previously, the Indonesian government had initially set the 2026 RKAB nickel ore production target at around 250–260 million tonnes.
Oct 16, 2026 17:03 (GMT+8)
Register to Continue Reading
Gain access to the latest insights in metals and new energy
Already have an account?Sign in here