Refined Nickel Output Rises Slightly in Apr, and to Continue to Grow in May

SHANGHAI, May 10 (SMM) - Chinese refined nickel output totalled 17,600 mt in April, up 0.17% MoM and 36.35% YoY. A smelter in north-west China carried out overhaul during the month, but a smelter in Jiangsu ramped up its production at the same time, thus preventing the output from falling.

The output in May will be 17,900 mt, up 1.99% MoM and 25.73% YoY. A smelter in Jiangsu is expected to continue to increase its production in May. Besides, the refined nickel project in Guangxi will maintain normal production, though the output will be low at the beginning. SMM believes that the refined nickel output will continue to increase in 2023 amid the expected rise in electrowinning nickel output.