SHANGHAI, Mar 6 (SMM) - NPI market witnessed several transactions, and the traded prices generally fell last week. Last Friday, the SMM average price of 8-12% high-grade NPI stood at 1,322.5 yuan/mtu (ex-factory, including tax), flat from the previous trading day and down 12.5 yuan/mtu from the previous Friday. Early last week, a stainless steel mill in east China bought NPI at 1,320 yuan/mtu (self pickup, tax included) and 1,335 yuan/mtu (tax included, delivery to factory). On the demand side, the spot stainless steel market weakened last week after a short-term recovery. Moreover, some stainless steel mills may cut their production in March amid the high inventory pressure, which may reduce the NPI demand. Purchase prices offered by stainless steel mills which restocked raw materials at high prices before the Chinese New Year are still declining. On the supply side, the NPI stocks were mainly held by traders. And the market players were generally bearish on the prices as the nickel prices crashed in the second half of the week. Small orders of Indonesia NPI were fewer owing to the shipping rhythm. SMM survey showed that some Indonesia NPI arrived at ports intensively at the end of February and early March, but some stainless steel mills reduced their demand. Ore prices stood high, causing losses in some NPI plants, while the stainless steel mills refused to raise their purchase prices of NPI. NPI prices are expected to move rangebound between 1,310-1,335 yuan/mtu (ex factory, including tax) this week.


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