Higher SHFE/LME Nickel Price Ratio Drove Rapid Declines in China Bonded Zone Inventories

SHANGHAI, Dec 17 (SMM) - According to an SMM survey, the SHFE/LME nickel price ratio rallied this week on the significant shortages of domestic cargoes. The import window for spot nickel reopened on Thursday, prompting the traders to transfer the nickel plate inventory in the bonded zones into the domestic market.

The imports of nickel briquette were limited.

The lower nickel prices have incentivised the downstream buyers to purchase, especially the electroplating and alloy plants. This drove the domestic nickel plate inventory to fall sharply. The premiums of nickel plate have hit a high for the year.

Despite some planned shipments arrivals of nickel plate next week, some of the cargoes have been presold. The market thus will not see a large inflow of imported nickel plate. Nonetheless, the available delivered cargoes are likely to alleviate the supply tightness of nickel plate.