[SMM Analysis: Indonesian & Philippine Nickel Market—Price Negotiations and Supply Challenges]
This week, the Philippine nickel ore market continued to exhibit back-and-forth negotiations between upstream and downstream. Despite a decline in domestic high-grade NPI prices, the FOB and CIF prices of medium-grade Philippine laterite nickel ore did not follow suit. Recent typhoons and the rainy season in the Philippines further impacted the supply of nickel ore, with some shipments planned for November possibly being delayed until December. Consequently, the supply of Philippine laterite nickel ore is expected to remain very limited. Against this backdrop, market expectations for a price drop in Philippine nickel ore may be postponed, and short-term price negotiations are expected to persist. Although downstream smelters still have a demand for raw material inventory, their purchasing enthusiasm is relatively weak due to cost factors.



